Accused — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective verb /ə-ˈkyüzd/ ac·cused

Meaning & Definition of Accused

Accused (noun)

  1. one charged with an offense; especially, the defendant in a criminal case

Accused (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in indicted, impeached

    similar: impeached, indicted, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, impeachable, indictable, punishable, condemned, convicted, guilty, hangdog, shamed, shamefaced
    opposite: blameless, cleanhanded, clear, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inculpable, innocent, irreproachable, lily-white, absolved, acquitted, cleared, exonerated, vindicated, ethical, law-abiding, moral, righteous, upright, virtuous

Accused (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in suspect, defendant

    similar: arrestee, defendant, detainee, fish, suspect, criminal, crook, culprit, lawbreaker, malefactor, miscreant, offender, misdemeanant, accomplice, principal, desperado, outlaw, convict, jailbird, perp, perpetrator, evildoer, gallows bird, misdoer, misfeasor, sinner, transgressor, trespasser, villain, wrongdoer, blackhander, button man, gangster, hoodlum, hooligan, mobster, racketeer, thug
    opposite: gangbuster, lawman

Accused (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a claim of wrongdoing against

    "she was accused of lying on the employment application"

    similar: charged, criminated, defamed (archaic), impeached, incriminated, indicted
    related: blamed, called (on), castigated, censured, condemned, criticized, damned, denounced, faulted, impugned, reproached, reprobated, chid, rebuked, reproved, taxed, appealed, arraigned, booked, cited, summoned, prosecuted, sued, tried, framed, implicated, inculpated, informed (against), named, reported, recriminated, retaliated
    opposite: absolved, acquitted, cleared, exculpated, exonerated, vindicated
    near: advocated, championed, defended, excused, forgave, justified, pardoned, remitted, shrived

Related Entry: Accuse (verb)

Accuse is a different word from Accused. The synonyms below are for accuse, not for accused.

  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 Accused

The most common words with a similar meaning to Accused:

Archaic: defamed
impeached, indicted, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, impeachable, indictable, punishable, condemned, convicted, guilty, hangdog, shamed, shamefaced, arrestee, defendant, detainee, fish, suspect, criminal, crook, culprit, lawbreaker, malefactor, miscreant, offender, misdemeanant, accomplice, principal, desperado, outlaw, convict, jailbird, perp, perpetrator, evildoer, gallows bird, misdoer, misfeasor

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Accused

Words with the opposite meaning of Accused:

blameless, cleanhanded, clear, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inculpable, innocent, irreproachable, lily-white, absolved, acquitted, cleared, exonerated, vindicated, ethical, law-abiding, moral, righteous, upright, virtuous, gangbuster, lawman, exculpated

Related Words for Accused

blamed, called (on), castigated, censured, criticized, damned, denounced, faulted, impugned, reproached, reprobated, chid, rebuked, reproved, taxed, appealed, arraigned, booked, cited, summoned, prosecuted, sued, tried, framed, implicated, inculpated, informed (against), named, reported, recriminated

Near Antonyms of Accused

advocated, championed, defended, excused, forgave, justified, pardoned, remitted, shrived

Origin & Etymology of Accused

First known use: 15th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Accused

Words & Phrases Containing Accused

stand accused of, the accused

Frequently Asked Questions about Accused

What does "Accused" mean?

"Accused" means one charged with an offense; especially, the defendant in a criminal case. As an a noun, an adjective and a verb, it is defined as: one charged with an offense; especially, the defendant in a criminal case. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Accused"?

Other words for "Accused" include impeached, indicted, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, impeachable and indictable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Accused" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Accused"?

There are 88 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Accused". Common alternatives include impeached, indicted, blamable, blameworthy, censurable, culpable, impeachable, indictable, punishable and condemned.

What is the opposite of "Accused"?

Antonyms of "Accused" include blameless, cleanhanded, clear, faultless, guiltless, impeccable, inculpable and innocent. Near antonyms include advocated, championed, defended and excused.

How do you use "Accused" in a sentence?

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

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

"Accused" can be used as a noun, an adjective and a verb, depending on the context.

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

As a C1-level word, "Accused" 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 "Accused"?

"Accused" is pronounced /ə-ˈkyüzd/ and divided into syllables as ac·cused.