recrimination

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "recrimination" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to mean a hostile accusation in response to criticism, implying that the critic is as guilty of wrongdoing as the accused. For example, "When John accused his brother of lying, his brother responded with recrimination, implying that John was no better for having spoken untruths himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Amid signs of panic and recrimination among unionist ranks about the prospects of a yes vote on 18 September, the Observer has learned that a devolution announcement designed to halt the nationalist bandwagon is due to be made within days by the anti-independence camp.

The Guardian

The immigration department also foreshadowed it may resist attempts by the Senate committee to compel it to provide information to ensure it is protected from "exposure or recrimination".

The Guardian

They want to form unions in order to negotiate higher wages without fear of recrimination.

The Guardian

Failure could be costly, plunging Europe into bitter recrimination and trench warfare just when it needs it least.

The Guardian

There was no anger or recrimination in his voice, but he refused to acknowledge there was a problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

The great side of 1970 also approached the World Cup in an atmosphere of recrimination and doubt.

The Economist

Mr Agbayani had been pronounced dead a minute earlier.The only beneficiary of the ensuing storm of recrimination is likely to be the Roman Catholic church's campaign against capital punishment.

The Economist

The party is racked by resignations and recrimination, three top regional officials have committed suicide, many others are booed when they show their faces.

The Economist

NOTHING better illustrates the distress of the Arab world than the muddle, buck-passing and recrimination that attended this week's last-minute postponement of the Arab League's annual summit in Tunis.

The Economist

Were they to undermine Mr Bennett's populist leadership, they know that the Jewish Home representation in parliament could collapse from the 12 seats they currently have to four.All of which offers a rare ray of light for negotiations which already seem marred in recrimination.

The Economist

By contrast, Mr Blair's policies on extending choice in schools and health care are popular with voters, the cabinet is united and the government is eight points ahead of the Tories in the most recent opinion poll.Having got rid of Mrs Thatcher, the Tories were so riven by guilt and recrimination that the party lapsed into destructive self-loathing.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recrimination" when you want to emphasize a back-and-forth exchange of accusations, highlighting the mutual blame between parties.

Common error

Avoid using "recrimination" when only one party is making accusations. It specifically denotes a situation where accusations are exchanged between two or more parties.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recrimination" is as a noun. It typically refers to the act of counter-accusing or the state of mutual accusations. As per Ludwig, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recrimination" is a noun denoting a mutual exchange of accusations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently used in news and media to describe situations where parties are engaged in reciprocal blame. Related terms include ""counteraccusation"" and ""mutual accusation"". A key writing tip is to ensure that the context involves a genuine exchange of accusations, not just a single instance of blame. Remember that the best way to utilize this word, is when you want to highlight a situation where parties are mutually blaming each other.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

counteraccusation

Focuses specifically on the act of accusing in response.

mutual accusation

Highlights the reciprocal nature of the accusations.

cross-accusation

Emphasizes the exchange of accusations between parties.

counter-charge

Implies a formal or legalistic accusation in response.

retort

Focuses on a sharp, retaliatory response, often accusatory.

retaliation

Highlights the act of revenge, which can include accusations.

revenge

Broader term encompassing actions taken to avenge a wrong, possibly including accusations.

reprisal

Implies a more formal or organized act of retaliation.

backlash

Refers to a strong negative reaction, which may involve accusations.

adverse criticism

Implies an unfavorable judgement or disapproval.

FAQs

How to use "recrimination" in a sentence?

Use "recrimination" to describe a situation involving mutual accusations. For example, "The meeting dissolved into bitter "mutual accusation" and "counteraccusation" after the project failed."

What can I say instead of "recrimination"?

You can use alternatives like ""counteraccusation"", ""mutual accusation"", or "cross-accusation" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "recrimination" or "accusation"?

"Recrimination" is used when accusations are exchanged, while "accusation" refers to a single instance of blame. Therefore, both words are correct, but they are used in different situations.

What's the difference between "recrimination" and "revenge"?

"Recrimination" involves mutual accusations, while "revenge" implies actions taken to retaliate for a perceived wrong. While "retaliation" might involve accusations, its primary focus is on inflicting harm or punishment.