counteraccuse

Blame your blamer

To counteraccuse is to respond to an accusation by accusing one's accuser in turn.

The tactic shifts attention from the original charge: When confronted about the missing funds, she counteraccused him of falsifying records.

Common in political disputes and relationship conflicts where both parties claim grievance.

dispute

blame

Assign responsibility for wrongdoing

quarrelAngry verbal dispute
altercationHeated verbal dispute
feudBitter ongoing rivalry

hostility · animosity · antagonism · contention · confrontation · discord · tension · strife · clash · bickering

retaliation

countercharge

Accusation against one's accuser

recriminationRetaliatory accusation
tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
reprisalPunitive action in return

backlash · revenge · counterstroke · counterattack · retribution · counteraction · counterblow · payback · vengeance · finger-pointing

rebuttal

refute

Prove something untrue

contradictDispute a statement
denyRefuse to admit
rebutDisprove by argument

counterclaim · counterargument · rejoinder · response · answer · parry · challenge · contestation · retort · riposte

legal

cross-claim

Suit against co-party

counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
plaintiffCivil case initiator

defendant · testimony · indictment · deposition · litigation · slander · libel · defamation · perjury · allegation

Opposites

responsibility/accountability

counteraccuseconfess

Acknowledge wrongdoing openly

own up · take the blame · self-incriminate · come clean · admit

rhetorical stance

counteraccuseconcede

Admit something reluctantly

capitulate · de-escalate · reconcile · make peace · turn the other cheek

communicative stance

counteraccuseapologize

Acknowledge a fault

make amends · reconcile · conciliate · de-escalate · yield

Family

counteraccuses, counteraccusing

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G