accused
4 synonyms and 1 antonym for accused, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A person formally charged with a crime; the defendant.
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.
charged party
Antonyms
How to use accused
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the accused
wrongly accused
Etymology
As a noun, it is first attested in the 1590s; it comes from accuse (“blame”) plus -ed.
Full origin of accused →Frequently asked questions
What does “accused” mean?
The word “accused” means a person formally charged with a crime; the defendant. In plain terms, someone charged with a crime, or describing someone in that position.
How do you pronounce “accused”?
“Accused” is pronounced uh-KYOOZD (/əˈkjuzd/ in IPA).
How do you use “accused” in a sentence?
Here is “accused” used in a sentence: “The accused pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance.”
What part of speech is “accused”?
Depending on how it is used, “accused” can be a noun and an adjective.
Is “accused” a common word?
“Accused” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “accused” have?
“Accused” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person formally charged with a crime; the defendant.
What is the difference between the accused and the defendant?
They usually refer to the same person, with a slight shift in setting. The accused is anyone formally charged with a crime, emphasising the accusation itself. Defendant is the courtroom term for that person once a case is under way. In everyday use the two are largely interchangeable.
Does being the accused mean someone is guilty?
No. The accused is only the person charged with a crime, not someone proven to have committed it. Under the presumption of innocence they are treated as innocent until a court finds otherwise. Being accused establishes a formal allegation; guilt is decided later through evidence, trial, and a verdict.
What is the difference between the accused and a suspect?
A suspect is someone the police believe may be involved in a crime but have not formally charged. The accused has been formally charged and faces prosecution. In short, a suspect is still under investigation, while the accused has entered the legal process and must answer the charge in court.
