Accuse — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ə-ˈkyüz/ ac·cuse

Meaning & Definition of Accuse

Accuse (verb)

  1. to charge with a fault or offense, blame
  2. to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process
  3. to bring an accusation

Accuse (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a claim of wrongdoing against

    "she was accused of lying on the employment application"

    similar: charge, criminate, defame (archaic), impeach, incriminate, indict
    related: blame, call (on), castigate, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, fault, impugn, reproach, reprobate, chide, rebuke, reprove, tax, appeal, arraign, book, cite, summon, prosecute, sue, try, frame, implicate, inculpate, inform (against), name, report, recriminate, retaliate
    opposite: absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate
    near: advocate, champion, defend, excuse, forgive, justify, pardon, remit, shrive

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Accuse

The most common words with a similar meaning to Accuse:

Archaic: defame
charge, criminate, impeach, incriminate, indict

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Accuse

Words with the opposite meaning of Accuse:

absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Related Words for Accuse

blame, call (on), castigate, censure, condemn, criticize, damn, denounce, fault, impugn, reproach, reprobate, chide, rebuke, reprove, tax, appeal, arraign, book, cite, summon, prosecute, sue, try, frame, implicate, inculpate, inform (against), name, report

Near Antonyms of Accuse

advocate, champion, defend, excuse, forgive, justify, pardon, remit, shrive

Word Forms of Accuse

Inflections: accused, accusing

Derived words: accuser (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Accuse

Middle English acusen, accusen, borrowed from Anglo-French accuser, acuser, borrowed from Latin accūsāre "to blame, censure, charge with a crime," from ad- ad- + -cūsāre, verbal derivative of causa "legal case, reason, cause" cause:1

First known use: 13th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Accuse

Frequently Asked Questions about Accuse

What does "Accuse" mean?

"Accuse" means to charge with a fault or offense, blame. As a verb, it is defined as: to charge with a fault or offense, blame.

What is another word for "Accuse"?

Other words for "Accuse" include charge, criminate, defame, impeach, incriminate and indict. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Accuse" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Accuse"?

There are 38 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Accuse". Common alternatives include charge, criminate, defame, impeach, incriminate and indict.

What is the opposite of "Accuse"?

Antonyms of "Accuse" include absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate and vindicate. Near antonyms include advocate, champion, defend and excuse.

How do you use "Accuse" in a sentence?

Examples of "Accuse" in a sentence: "she was accused of lying on the employment application".

Is "Accuse" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Accuse" is a verb.

Is "Accuse" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Accuse" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Accuse"?

"Accuse" is pronounced /ə-ˈkyüz/ and divided into syllables as ac·cuse.