recriminations
Trading bitter accusations
Recriminations are accusations made in response to being accused—the back-and-forth of mutual blame.
When something goes wrong, the recriminations fly: The project failed, and the recriminations between departments lasted for months.
The word nearly always appears in the plural, suggesting an escalating exchange rather than a single countercharge.
Unproven formal claims
- chargesAmounts owed or alleged
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- counterchargesAccusations made in retaliation
- finger-pointingAssigning blame openly
imputations · insinuations · assertions · claims · complaints · indictments · denunciations · aspersions
Verbal clash over differences
- quarrelAngry verbal dispute
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- bitterSharp, unpleasant taste
- acrimonyBitter ill will
hostility · animosity · antagonism · discord · strife · tension · friction · fallout
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- criticismJudgment of faults
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
- rebukeExpress sharp disapproval
castigation · upbraiding · scolding · admonishment · disapproval · faultfinding · scapegoating · judgment
Examination after death
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- consequencesResults of actions taken
- soul-searchingProbing one's innermost feelings
accountability · inquiry · investigation · hindsight · lessons · autopsy · breakdown · analysis
allegations
Unproven formal claims
- chargesAmounts owed or alleged
- blameAssign responsibility for wrongdoing
- counterchargesAccusations made in retaliation
finger-pointing · imputations · insinuations · assertions · claims · complaints · indictments · denunciations · aspersions · slander
dispute
Verbal clash over differences
acrimony · hostility · animosity · antagonism · discord · strife · tension · friction · fallout · resentment
blame
Assign responsibility for wrongdoing
- criticismJudgment of faults
- censureFormal institutional disapproval
- condemnationSevere disapproval expressed formally
rebuke · castigation · upbraiding · scolding · admonishment · disapproval · faultfinding · scapegoating · judgment · chastisement
postmortem
Examination after death
- falloutPost-blast atmospheric particles
- reckoningSettlement of accounts
- consequencesResults of actions taken
soul-searching · accountability · inquiry · investigation · hindsight · lessons · autopsy · breakdown · analysis · review
recriminationsforgiveness
Releasing resentment toward offenders
reconciliation · pardon · absolution · amnesty · exoneration
recriminationsharmony
Agreement or musical blend
peace · accord · conciliation · rapprochement · goodwill
recriminationstaking responsibility
self-reflection · accountability · mea culpa · self-criticism · self-blame