a wave of accusations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a wave of accusations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sudden and overwhelming number of accusations directed at someone or something, often in a legal or social context. Example: "After the scandal broke, the politician faced a wave of accusations regarding his conduct in office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

That kicked off a wave of accusations, allegations, criticism".

The Guardian - Sport

The church has faced a wave of accusations in recent months that it covered up sexual abuse of children by priests and failed to take action — criminal or ecclesiastical — to punish pedophile priests and remove them from working with children.

The New York Times

The latest confrontation between the media empires broke out when the publications in Mr. Donev's group experienced distribution problems, setting off a wave of accusations between the two publishing groups.

The New York Times

Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded in characteristically robust form, dismissing the allegations against him as a plot to bring down his government – the latest in a wave of accusations fuelling widespread popular protest against his 11-year rule.

The Guardian

They say the wave of development in New York City that started in 2004 and crested in mid-2007 has resulted in a wave of accusations about defective construction and building design.

The New York Times

The official results were to be announced on Thursday but authorities postponed it, setting off a wave of accusations of manipulation aimed at all sides, including the ruling military.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Gen. Charles H. Gerhardt, commander of the infantry division that landed at Omaha Beach, partly to counter a wave of rape accusations against G.I.'s.

The New York Times - Books

That Mr. Cain has come as far as he has, only to be knocked around in recent weeks by a wave of personal accusations and embarrassing policy moments, tells you a lot about the craving for genuine outsiders in our politics — and why they so rarely succeed.

The New York Times

In the wake of the crisis to hit Fifa, it's understood Qatar is preparing to launch a fightback against a renewed wave of accusations it won the 2022 World Cup hosting rights unfairly, and the circulation of what it believes are false statistics of migrant labour deaths in the country.

BBC

But a new wave of accusations reaching ever closer to Rome has emerged in recent weeks, helped along, in part, by Mr. Anderson's discovery of previously undisclosed documents.

The New York Times

A recent wave of accusations against public school employees for inappropriate behavior brings to light the city's difficulty in firing tenured teachers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a wave of accusations" when you want to emphasize the sudden and overwhelming nature of multiple accusations. It is most effective when these accusations share a common theme or target.

Common error

Avoid using "a wave of accusations" repeatedly in a short span. Vary your language with synonyms like "flurry of allegations" or "barrage of allegations" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wave of accusations" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig examples show it describing the intensity and volume of accusations, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wave of accusations" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe a sudden and large number of accusations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's frequently used in News & Media, with a neutral to formal register. While synonyms like "flurry of allegations" and "barrage of accusations" exist, "a wave of accusations" effectively conveys the sense of overwhelming accusations. When employing the expression, be mindful to avoid overuse and maintain variety in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a flurry of allegations

Replaces "accusations" with "allegations" and "wave" with "flurry", suggesting a sudden and brief burst of accusations.

a barrage of allegations

Replaces "wave" with "barrage", implying a continuous and overwhelming stream of accusations.

a storm of controversy

Shifts the focus from accusations to the broader sense of controversy, implying widespread disagreement and debate.

a tide of denunciations

Replaces "accusations" with "denunciations" to emphasize the public condemnation aspect.

an outbreak of scandal

Focuses on the scandal itself rather than the accusations, suggesting a sudden and widespread occurrence.

mounting accusations

Emphasizes the increasing number of accusations over time.

escalating allegations

Highlights the growing intensity and seriousness of the allegations.

a series of charges

Replaces "wave" with "series" and "accusations" with "charges", suggesting a more formal and legalistic context.

multiple claims of wrongdoing

Uses more neutral language, replacing "accusations" with "claims of wrongdoing", suggesting a less accusatory tone.

numerous allegations

A simpler alternative, focusing on the quantity of allegations.

FAQs

What does "a wave of accusations" mean?

The phrase "a wave of accusations" refers to a sudden and large number of accusations directed at someone or something, suggesting a widespread or intense situation.

How can I use "a wave of accusations" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company faced "a wave of accusations" after the documentary aired" or "A wave of accusations followed the politician's controversial statement".

What are some alternatives to "a wave of accusations"?

You can use alternatives such as "flurry of allegations", "barrage of allegations", or "series of charges" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a wave of accusations" in formal writing?

Yes, "a wave of accusations" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, particularly in news reports, academic papers, and professional communications. Its appropriateness depends on the overall tone and subject matter.