countercharges
Accusations fired back
Countercharges are accusations made in response to accusations.
When someone faces blame, they may level countercharges against their accuser: The lawsuit prompted countercharges of fraud.
The term appears frequently in legal and political contexts, where mutual accusations fly between opposing parties.
To countercharge is to make such a responsive accusation.
Claim someone did wrong
- recriminationRetaliatory accusation
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- reprisalPunitive action in return
- counteraccusationAllegation made in response
retort · counterattack · payback · backlash · counterblow · recompense · retribution · vengeance
Defendant's opposing lawsuit
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- litigationLegal dispute process
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- defendantParty facing charges
testimony · evidence · pleadings · deposition · affidavit · subpoena · cross-examine · prosecution
Change in trajectory
- whataboutismDeflecting criticism through counter-accusation
- diversionRedirection of attention
- spinRapid rotation around axis
- misdirectionIntentional focus manipulation
blame-shifting · mudslinging · smear · attack · discredit · impugn · vilification · defamation
Disproving a statement
- denialRefusal to accept reality
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- riposteSwift clever reply
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
contradiction · disputation · confutation · objection · response · reply · defense · disagreement
accusation
Claim someone did wrong
- recriminationRetaliatory accusation
- tit-for-tatEquivalent retaliation strategy
- reprisalPunitive action in return
counteraccusation · retort · counterattack · payback · backlash · counterblow · recompense · retribution · vengeance · reciprocity
counterclaim
Defendant's opposing lawsuit
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
- litigationLegal dispute process
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · testimony · evidence · pleadings · deposition · affidavit · subpoena · cross-examine · prosecution · counsel
deflection
Change in trajectory
- whataboutismDeflecting criticism through counter-accusation
- diversionRedirection of attention
- spinRapid rotation around axis
misdirection · blame-shifting · mudslinging · smear · attack · discredit · impugn · vilification · defamation · slander
refutation
Disproving a statement
counterargument · contradiction · disputation · confutation · objection · response · reply · defense · disagreement · negation
counterchargesdefense
Protection against harm
denials · rebuttals · exonerations · vindications · admissions
counterchargesdefense
Protection against harm
denial · rebuttal · exoneration · vindication · acquittal