accusing
Charging with wrongdoing
Accusing describes words, looks, or tones that suggest someone has done something wrong.
An accusing glance implies blame without stating it outright.
An accusing finger points at the suspected wrongdoer.
Her voice took on an accusing tone.
The word carries the weight of implied judgment, whether or not a formal accusation follows.
Formal charge from jury
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
testimony · cross-examination · subpoena · charge · complaint · litigation · trial · courtroom
Assigning blame openly
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
faultfinding · rebuke · reprimand · castigation · scolding · berating · upbraiding · chastisement
Expressing disapproval or importance
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
- scornfulShowing open contempt
contemptuous · reproachful · disdainful · hypercritical · opinionated · harsh · stern · glaring
Suggesting indirectly
- implyingSuggesting without stating directly
- suggestingOffering an idea indirectly
- alludingReferencing indirectly
- insinuatingIndirectly suggesting something
intimating · implicating · pointing · signaling · indirect · veiled · subtle · oblique
Absence of confidence
- doubtLack of firm belief
- misgivingUneasy feeling of doubt
- warinessCautious distrust
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
questioning · scrutiny · disbelief · incredulity · mistrustful · leery · wary · watchful
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
- arraignmentCharge-reading court session
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · testimony · cross-examination · subpoena · charge · complaint · litigation · trial · courtroom · witness
finger-pointing
Assigning blame openly
- reproachExpression of disappointment
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- denunciationFormal public accusation
censure · faultfinding · rebuke · reprimand · castigation · scolding · berating · upbraiding · chastisement · recrimination
critical
Expressing disapproval or importance
- disapprovingExpressing unfavorable opinion
- condemningExpressing severe disapproval
- censoriousSeverely critical in judgment
scornful · contemptuous · reproachful · disdainful · hypercritical · opinionated · harsh · stern · glaring · piercing
hinting
Suggesting indirectly
- implyingSuggesting without stating directly
- suggestingOffering an idea indirectly
- alludingReferencing indirectly
insinuating · intimating · implicating · pointing · signaling · indirect · veiled · subtle · oblique · sidelong
distrust
Absence of confidence
skepticism · questioning · scrutiny · disbelief · incredulity · mistrustful · leery · wary · watchful · guarded
- reproachesblaming, scolding, rebuking, reprimanding, censuring
- emotional expressiontone, laughing, mood, yelling, crying
- blamin'fault, guilt, finger-pointing, scapegoat, pointing fingers
- conflictsargument, fight, war, battle, dispute
- disrespectinsulting, belittling, demeaning, mocking, ridiculing
- gripingcomplaining, grumbling, griping, grousing, kvetching
accusingexonerating
Clearing of wrongdoing
absolving · exculpating · acquitting · clearing · vindicating
accusingdefending
Protecting against harm
supporting · standing up for · backing · championing · vouching for
accusingpraising
Voicing admiration
commending · approving · lauding · complimenting · affirming