accuse

verb

ac·​cuse ə-ˈkyüz How to pronounce accuse (audio)
accused; accusing
Synonyms of accuse

transitive verb

1
: to charge with a fault or offense : blame
He accused her of being disloyal.
2
: to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process
He was accused of murder.

intransitive verb

: to bring an accusation
accuser
ə-ˈkyü-zər How to pronounce accuse (audio)
noun

Synonyms of accuse

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Examples of accuse in a Sentence

she was accused of lying on the employment application
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In May 2020, Loughlin and Mossimo pleaded guilty to wire and mail fraud after they were accused of paying $500,000 for their daughters’ admission into the University of Southern California. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026 Joe accuses Nathan of being insecure; Nathan throws the accusation back. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 1 Sep. 2026 The singer is accused of murdering 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez. — Meredith Deliso, ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 The filing accused Thomas of having refused to allow nannies into his house with his daughter, including one assigned by the court, and of using drugs. — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for accuse

Word History

Etymology

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" — more at cause entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of accuse was in the 13th century

Rhymes for accuse

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Browse Nearby Words

accusatrix
accuse
accused
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accuse. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

accuse

verb
ac·​cuse ə-ˈkyüz How to pronounce accuse (audio)
accused; accusing
: to blame for wrongdoing : to charge with a fault and especially with a crime
accuser noun
accusingly
-ˈkyü-ziŋ-lē How to pronounce accuse (audio)
adverb

Legal Definition

accuse

verb
ac·​cuse
accused; accusing

transitive verb

: to charge with an offense judicially or by a public process compare indict

intransitive verb

: to make or bring an accusation
accuser noun
Etymology

Latin accusare to find fault with, charge with a crime, from ad to, at + causa legal case, trial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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