Accused


charged with a crime, wrongdoing, fault, etc.:
the accused boy.
a person or persons charged in a court of law with a crime, offense, etc. (often preceded by the).
to charge with the fault, offense, or crime (usually followed by of):
He accused him of murder.
to find fault with; blame.
to make an .
Contemporary Examples

The kettle was adamantly calling the pot black as Netanyahu accused Iran of doing all sorts of shady things with nuclear power.
Netanyahu’s Iran Soliloquy at the U.N. Maysoon Zayid October 1, 2013

Ryan accused Obama of trying to “dodge and demagogue” the debt problem he created.
Paul Ryan’s Wonky Assault on President Obama at the Republican Convention Howard Kurtz August 29, 2012

California scholar Rainer Reinscheid is accused of an arson spree and plotting to kill 200 high-school students.
Did This Professor Go Crazy? Christine Pelisek January 29, 2013

“Malala has been accused of being more loyal to the West,” Shahid said.
Has Malala Become a Puppet of the West? Nico Hines April 11, 2014

Facebook and its bankers are accused of secretly disclosing negative information to some investors.
7 Things to Know About Facebook’s Investor Scandal Dan Lyons May 22, 2012

Historical Examples

He accused Madison of cheating Erskine and repeated the accusation.
A Short History of the United States Edward Channing

He came a little toward the girl who had accused him of treachery.
Within the Law Marvin Dana

Turning then to the commander of the guards, he struck him and accused him of having disobeyed orders.
Historic Tales, Vol. 8 (of 15) Charles Morris

At first he was angry, as he accused her of being mean-spirited and grasping.
The Dream Emile Zola

The other prisoner—the only accused, properly so called—had already pleaded guilty.
Nevermore Rolf Boldrewood

noun
(law) the accused, the defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge
verb
to charge (a person or persons) with some fault, offence, crime, etc; impute guilt or blame
n.

“person charged with a crime,” 1590s, from past participle of accuse (v.).
v.

c.1300, “charge (with an offense, etc.), impugn, blame,” from Old French acuser “to accuse, indict, reproach, blame” (13c.), earlier “announce, report, disclose” (12c.), or directly from Latin accusare “to call to account,” from ad- “against” (see ad-) + causari “give as a cause or motive,” from causa “reason” (see cause (n.)). Related: Accused; accusing; accusingly.

Read Also:

  • Accuseds

    charged with a crime, wrongdoing, fault, etc.: the accused boy. a person or persons charged in a court of law with a crime, offense, etc. (often preceded by the). noun (law) the accused, the defendant or defendants appearing on a criminal charge n. “person charged with a crime,” 1590s, from past participle of accuse (v.).

  • Accuser

    a person who , especially in a court of law: a trial in which the accuser and accused may freely speak. Contemporary Examples accuser No. 3, a stocky brunette with what appeared to be a permanently knitted brow, said he first met Sandusky in 1999. Jerry Sandusky Trial, Day Three: The Defense Gets Steamrolled Diane […]

  • Accusing

    to charge with the fault, offense, or crime (usually followed by of): He accused him of murder. to find fault with; blame. to make an . Contemporary Examples Black gays, in turn, are accusing their white gay peers of viscous racism. Gays and Blacks (and Gay Blacks) Go to War The Daily Beast November 5, […]

  • Accusingly

    to charge with the fault, offense, or crime (usually followed by of): He accused him of murder. to find fault with; blame. to make an . Historical Examples She rose up in alarm, but something in his smile made her sit down and eye him accusingly. Wunpost Dane Coolidge Brother,” the parson answered, accusingly, “it […]

  • Accustomed

    customary; usual; habitual: in their accustomed manner. habituated; acclimated (usually followed by to): accustomed to staying up late; accustomed to the noise of the subway. to familiarize by custom or use; habituate: to accustom oneself to cold weather. Contemporary Examples There was a busy, bustling, disputatious tone about it, instead of the accustomed phlegm and […]


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