recriminates
Returns the blame
Recriminates means to respond to an accusation by making a counteraccusation.
When someone attacks your character and you attack theirs in return, you recriminate: Rather than address the charge, he recriminates, accusing his accuser of worse conduct.
The noun is recrimination, often appearing in the plural to describe cycles of mutual blame: bitter recriminations.
Claim someone did wrong
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
- indictFormally charge with crime
impugn · censure · reproach · allege · charge · implicate · arraign · prosecute
Accuse one's accuser
- counterchargeAccusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- retaliateRespond to injury alike
- retortQuick, cutting reply
rejoinder · riposte · comeback · tit-for-tat · backlash · reprisal · deflect · redirect
Angry verbal dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- strifeAngry, prolonged conflict
discord · antagonism · acrimony · hostility · friction · bickering · squabbling · infighting
accuse
Claim someone did wrong
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- condemnDeclare wrong or guilty
indict · impugn · censure · reproach · allege · charge · implicate · arraign · prosecute · scapegoat
counteraccuse
Accuse one's accuser
- counterchargeAccusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- retaliateRespond to injury alike
retort · rejoinder · riposte · comeback · tit-for-tat · backlash · reprisal · deflect · redirect · boomerang
quarrel
Angry verbal dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
strife · discord · antagonism · acrimony · hostility · friction · bickering · squabbling · infighting · vendetta
justify
Provide adequate grounds for
rationalize · evade · alibi · disavow · absolve · exculpate · whitewash · cover-up · stonewalling · gaslighting
recriminatesowns up
Admits to wrongdoing
confesses · apologizes · makes amends · atones · concedes
recriminatesreconciles
Resolves differences between parties
forgives · makes peace · conciliates · appeases · pacifies
recrimination, recriminate, recriminations, recriminatory, recriminated, recriminating