accuse Definition
- 1to say that someone has done something wrong or illegal
- 2to blame someone for something
- 3to charge someone with a crime
Using accuse: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "accuse" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was accused of stealing the money.
Example
The company was accused of polluting the river.
Example
She accused him of lying to her.
Example
The police accused him of murder.
Example
He was accused of cheating on the test.
accuse Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with accuse
accuse someone of something
to say that someone has done something wrong or illegal
Example
She accused him of stealing her purse.
to make an untrue statement about someone, claiming that they have done something wrong or illegal
Example
He was falsely accused of stealing the money.
Example
He was accused of cheating on the test.
Origins of accuse
from Old French 'acusare', from Latin 'accusare', from 'ad-' (to) + 'causari' (give a reason, plead a cause)
Summary: accuse in Brief
'Accuse' [əˈkjuːz] means to say that someone has done something wrong or illegal, to blame someone for something, or to charge someone with a crime. It is often used in legal contexts, as in 'The police accused him of murder.' Phrases like 'accuse someone of something' and 'falsely accuse someone' are common. 'Accuse' is a formal word, and synonyms include 'charge,' 'impeach,' 'incriminate,' and 'indict.'
