accusation
11 synonyms and 4 antonyms for accusation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A claim that someone has done something wrong.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use accusation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
make an accusation
deny an accusation
face accusations of
Etymology
Accusation was first recorded in the late 14th century. It was inherited from Middle English accusacion, borrowed from Old French acusacion (French: accusation), from Latin accūsātiō ("accusation, indictment"), from accūsō ("blame, accuse") — see accuse. It is a doublet of accusatio, and equivalent to accuse plus -atio...
Full origin of accusation →Frequently asked questions
What does “accusation” mean?
The word “accusation” means a claim that someone has done something wrong. In plain terms, a statement claiming someone is guilty of something.
How do you pronounce “accusation”?
“Accusation” is pronounced ak-yuu-ZAY-shn (/ˌæk.jʊˈzeɪ.ʃ(ə)n/ in IPA).
How do you use “accusation” in a sentence?
Here is “accusation” used in a sentence: “He denied the accusation that he had lied to investors.”
What is another word for “accusation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “accusation” include allegation, assertion, censure, charge, crimination and detection.
What part of speech is “accusation”?
“Accusation” is a noun.
Is “accusation” a common word?
“Accusation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between an accusation and a conviction?
An accusation is simply a claim that someone has done something wrong; it carries no legal weight on its own. A conviction, by contrast, is a formal legal finding of guilt reached after a trial, meaning the claim has been proven to the required standard.
What is the difference between an accusation and an allegation?
Accusation and allegation are very close in meaning and often used interchangeably, both referring to an unproven claim that someone did something wrong. Allegation is somewhat more common in formal legal or journalistic writing, while accusation is used equally in everyday speech.
Does making an accusation prove that someone is guilty?
No, an accusation is only a claim that someone has done something wrong, not proof that they actually did it. Guilt has to be separately established, for example through investigation or a legal proceeding, before an accusation can be treated as fact.
