accuse

Sayuh-KYOOZ/əˈkjuz/UK/əˈkjuːz/

Formsaccuses, accusing, accused

4 meanings of accuse

Practice

1
verbtransitive
To say that someone has done something wrong or broken the law.
Like pointing your finger at someone and saying, "You did it."
They accuse him of lying about the missing money.
The store accused her of taking food without paying.
Similarcharge, indict, impeach, arraign
Oppositeexonerate, clear, acquit, absolve
Note
2
verbtransitive
To blame someone, saying they did something wrong.
Like telling a friend it was their fault the game was lost.
She accused her brother of breaking the vase.
Don't accuse me of lying without any proof.
Similarblame, charge, criticize, reproach
Oppositeabsolve, excuse, defend
Note
3
verbintransitive
To make a claim that another person has done something wrong.
Like raising your hand to point the blame before knowing the full story.
It is much easier to accuse than to forgive.
She was quick to accuse, even when she had no proof at all.
Similarblame, reproach, censure

Less common meaning

4
nounobsoleteuncountable
A claim that someone has done something wrong.
Like a finger pointed in public, naming who is at fault.
He brought a grave accuse against the steward before the lord.
And dogged York, that reaches at the moon, / Whose overweening arm I have plucked back, / By false accuse doth level at my life.
c. 1596, William Shakespeare, Henry IVHere, accuse means a charge or claim that someone did something wrong.
Note

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Origin

It came into Middle English as acusen, from Old French acuser, which came from Latin accūsō meaning 'to accuse'. This Latin word is related to 'cause'.