counteraccusing
Accusing your accuser
Counteraccusing is the act of responding to an accusation by making an accusation in return against the original accuser.
It's a deflection tactic that shifts focus away from the initial charge: When confronted about the missing funds, she started counteraccusing her colleagues of mismanagement.
The strategy appears frequently in political disputes and interpersonal conflicts where neither party wants to be on the defensive.
Assigning blame openly
- recriminationRetaliatory accusation
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- blame-shiftingAttributing fault to others
scapegoating · whataboutism · misdirection · evasion · diversion · reversal · redirection · denial
Accusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- chargeCost or accusation
prosecution · incrimination · imputation · affidavit · testimony · cross-examination · deposition · pleading
Recovery after decline
- riposteSwift clever reply
- retortQuick, cutting reply
- clapbackSwift retaliatory response
- rejoinderReply to a reply
retaliation · tit-for-tat · payback · reprisal · counterpunch · counterattack · backlash · reciprocation
finger-pointing
Assigning blame openly
- recriminationRetaliatory accusation
- projectionSomething that extends outward
- deflectionChange in trajectory
blame-shifting · scapegoating · whataboutism · misdirection · evasion · diversion · reversal · redirection · denial · excuse-making
countercharge
Accusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
charge · prosecution · incrimination · imputation · affidavit · testimony · cross-examination · deposition · pleading · filing
comeback
Recovery after decline
rejoinder · retaliation · tit-for-tat · payback · reprisal · counterpunch · counterattack · backlash · reciprocation · revenge
counteraccusingadmitting fault
Accepting responsibility for wrongdoing
confessing · owning up · taking responsibility · conceding · self-incriminating
counteraccusingapologizing
Acknowledging a wrongdoing
making amends · reconciling · conciliating · de-escalating · peacemaking
accuse, accused, accusation, accuser, accusing, accusatory, accusable, accusative, reaccusing