accusatory

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "accusatory" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or argument where someone makes an accusation. For example, "The tone of his speech was accusatory, and it put the whole room in a tense mood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a letter released to the media over the weekend, O'Brien criticised Murphy for making "seriously accusatory statements" that were "materially inaccurate" and based on "information which you know to have been stolen".

The Guardian

Instead, the accusatory finger is pointed squarely at Jeffrey Jamar and Richard Rogers, the men who led the FBI forces on the ground.

The Economist

The first instinct of India's prime minister, Manmohan Singh, was to call for calm and restraint, rather than to point an accusatory finger at Pakistan for sheltering the jihadi groups who, by common reckoning, are the most likely people to have perpetrated the outrage.

The Economist

Once a complaint is filed, the professor usually has to undergo a prolonged accusatory process to defend the grade.

The Economist

America's leftward drift has been good in some respects and bad in others, but it now threatens many of the core values on which the nation was founded.Paul Asfendis Westchester, New York* SIR – It is interesting that the term "anti-immigration" is consistently used in an accusatory manner by the left when referring to Republicans or tea-party members or Arizona.

The Economist

The accusatory message, printed on beer mats and distributed last month by London's Metropolitan Police, suggests that domestic violence is so widespread that a drinker is likely to be perpetrating it.

The Economist

The lamp-posts display posters about the war in Chechnya, soldiers' memorials, abandoned widows and children, each emblazoned with an accusatory "How much?" Mr Shvedov records how well each poster has been placed and how it looks from the street.Don't get despondent, get evenRyazan is the site of one of Russia's first scientific experiments in civic activism.

The Economist

Given that before his resignation he had poll-ratings of around 40%, Mr Strauss-Kahn may well feel bitter at his "lost" two years.Britain and America have an "accusatory" system in which the prosecution must produce evidence before charging someone, and must in court then prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

The Economist

He gained a reputation for aggressive and accusatory rhetoric, which he directed at the government and corporate entities to whose inaction and apathy he attributed the rapid spread of the epidemic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Four months later, without prior notice, Samuel Pepys and John Locke, both personal friends of Newton, received wild, accusatory letters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The revised 1990 penal code replaced the old inquisitory system with an accusatory system akin to that of common-law countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "accusatory", ensure that the context clearly supports the implication of blame or wrongdoing to avoid misinterpretation. For instance, specify what action or statement is "accusatory" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "accusatory" when a more neutral term like "questioning" or "inquisitive" would be more appropriate. Overusing "accusatory" can create an unintended adversarial tone in situations where it's not warranted.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "accusatory" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something as containing or implying an accusation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples, where it describes tones, glances, statements, and systems.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

13%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "accusatory" functions as an adjective used to describe something expressing or implying an accusation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently found in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and encyclopedias. While "accusatory" is a powerful word, it is crucial to use it judiciously and ensure the context warrants its use, avoiding its overuse in neutral situations. Exploring alternatives such as "blaming" or "critical" enriches expression while maintaining precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

accusing

Directly ascribes blame or fault, differing from "accusatory" in its active assertion of guilt.

blaming

Assigns responsibility for a fault or wrong, often directly, differing from "accusatory" in its active voice and clear assignment of blame.

criminatory

Specifically relates to the act of making a criminal accusation, differing from the broader application of "accusatory".

imputative

Attributes something, often a fault or crime, to someone, subtly shifting the focus from the act of accusing to the attribution itself.

denunciatory

Publicly condemns or accuses, creating a more formal and often vehement expression of disapproval than "accusatory".

inculpatory

Tends to imply involvement in wrongdoing, varying from "accusatory" by focusing on self-incrimination rather than direct accusation.

implicatory

Suggests involvement without explicitly stating guilt, offering a more subtle form of accusation compared to "accusatory".

reproachful

Expresses disapproval or blame, differing from "accusatory" in its emphasis on disappointment or mild criticism rather than formal accusation.

censorious

Highly critical and fault-finding, differing in its broader condemnation rather than specific accusations.

critical

Expresses disapproval or negative judgment, a broader term than "accusatory", which implies a more specific charge.

FAQs

How can I use "accusatory" in a sentence?

Use "accusatory" to describe something that contains or implies an accusation. For example, "The detective gave the suspect an "accusatory glance"", or "The letter had an "accusatory tone"".

What's the difference between "accusing" and "accusatory"?

"Accusing" is a verb or adjective that describes the act of making an accusation, while "accusatory" is an adjective that describes something that contains or implies an accusation. You can use "accusing" to say "He was accusing her", but "accusatory" to say "He had an "accusatory manner"".

What words are similar to "accusatory"?

Similar words include "blaming", "critical", and "reproachful". Choose the best alternative based on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use the word "accusatory"?

Avoid using "accusatory" when a more neutral description is needed, as it carries a strong implication of blame. In situations requiring objectivity, use terms like "inquisitive" or "investigative" instead.