counteraccusation
Accusation thrown back
A counteraccusation is an accusation made in response to being accused—turning the tables on one's accuser.
When someone facing charges responds by alleging wrongdoing by the other party, that's a counteraccusation: Her lawyer's counteraccusation suggested the plaintiff had fabricated evidence.
Common in legal disputes, politics, and personal conflicts where both sides claim the other is at fault.
Retaliatory accusation
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- incriminationSuggesting someone's guilt
- imputationAscribing fault to another
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
charge · denunciation · aspersion · culpability · fault · guilt · scapegoating · mudslinging
Accusation against one's accuser
- refutationDisproving a statement
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
- contradictionOpposing claims, incompatible together
repudiation · disavowal · denial · disputation · confutation · rebuttal · dismissal · negation
Change in trajectory
- justificationReason proving rightness
- vindicationClearance of blame
- exculpationClearing from fault
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
denial · alibi · plea · mitigation · exoneration · shielding · damage control · spin
Swift clever reply
- comebackRecovery after decline
- clapbackSwift retaliatory response
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
backlash · payback · turnabout · counterpunch · counterstrike · reciprocation · quid pro quo · reprisal
recrimination
Retaliatory accusation
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
- incriminationSuggesting someone's guilt
- imputationAscribing fault to another
allegation · charge · denunciation · aspersion · culpability · fault · guilt · scapegoating · mudslinging · smear
countercharge
Accusation against one's accuser
- refutationDisproving a statement
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
contradiction · repudiation · disavowal · denial · disputation · confutation · rebuttal · dismissal · negation · challenge
deflection
Change in trajectory
- justificationReason proving rightness
- vindicationClearance of blame
- exculpationClearing from fault
self-defense · denial · alibi · plea · mitigation · exoneration · shielding · damage control · spin · misdirection
riposte
Swift clever reply
- comebackRecovery after decline
- clapbackSwift retaliatory response
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
tit-for-tat · backlash · payback · turnabout · counterpunch · counterstrike · reciprocation · quid pro quo · reprisal · volley
counteraccusationdefense
Protection against harm
vindication · exoneration · apology · confession · admission
counter, accusation, accuse, accused, accuser, accusers, accusing, accusingly, accusatory