recriminating
Hurling mutual accusations
Recriminating describes accusations made in response to being accused—countercharges that deflect blame back onto the accuser.
A recriminating tone or recriminating words suggest mutual blame rather than resolution: The meeting devolved into recriminating exchanges between the two sides.
The word implies defensiveness and escalation rather than accountability.
Formally accusing legally
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
- chargingRestoring electrical power
- allegingClaiming without evidence
- implicatingShowing involvement in wrongdoing
prosecuting · arraigning · denouncing · condemning · impeaching · censuring · criticizing · reproaching
Allegation made in response
- counterchargeAccusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
- counterattackOffensive response to aggression
comeback · riposte · rebuttal · rejoinder · counterargument · response · reply · backlash
Verbal clash over differences
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- discordLack of agreement
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
antagonism · bickering · friction · confrontation · clash · animosity · contention · disagreement
Moral self-reproach
- faultImperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
- accountabilityObligation for one's actions
condemnation · censure · reproach · disapproval · judgment · rebuke · chastisement · criticism
indicting
Formally accusing legally
- incriminatingProving guilt or wrongdoing
- chargingRestoring electrical power
- allegingClaiming without evidence
implicating · prosecuting · arraigning · denouncing · condemning · impeaching · censuring · criticizing · reproaching · castigating
counteraccusation
Allegation made in response
- counterchargeAccusation against one's accuser
- counterclaimDefendant's opposing lawsuit
- retaliationPunitive response to injury
counterattack · comeback · riposte · rebuttal · rejoinder · counterargument · response · reply · backlash · tit-for-tat
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
hostility · antagonism · bickering · friction · confrontation · clash · animosity · contention · disagreement · acrimony
guilt
Moral self-reproach
- faultImperfection or blame
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
- responsibilityState of being answerable
accountability · condemnation · censure · reproach · disapproval · judgment · rebuke · chastisement · criticism · denunciation
recriminatingforgiving
Inclined to pardon offenses
absolving · exonerating · pardoning · excusing · exculpating
recriminatingcomplimentary
Free or expressing praise
praising · laudatory · positive · appreciative · supportive
recriminatingconciliatory
Meant to placate
reconciling · peacemaking · placating · appeasing · gracious