Accuse
verb
To say that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
She accused him of stealing her wallet.
Often appears as...
- accuse somebody of something
- falsely accuse
verb
To blame someone for something bad that has happened.
He accuses his wife of spending too much money.
Often appears as...
- accuse somebody of something
- unfairly accuse
verb
To formally charge someone with a crime.
The accused will appear in court next week.
Often appears as...
- accuse of a crime
- accuse in court
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To say that someone has done something wrong or illegal.
She accused him of stealing her wallet.
Often appears as...
- accuse somebody of something
- falsely accuse
verb
To blame someone for something bad that has happened.
He accuses his wife of spending too much money.
Often appears as...
- accuse somebody of something
- unfairly accuse
verb
To formally charge someone with a crime.
The accused will appear in court next week.
Often appears as...
- accuse of a crime
- accuse in court
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Implying Wrongdoing
Using 'accuse' often suggests you believe someone did something wrong.
The teacher accused the student of cheating during the test.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Allegations
'Accuse' is used for serious situations, not small mistakes or accidents.
They accused the mayor of embezzlement, not just a minor error.
Pro Tip 3/3Requires Evidence
Accusations should be based on some kind of evidence or strong belief.
Witnesses accused him because they saw him running from the scene.
Pro Tip 1/3Implying Wrongdoing
Using 'accuse' often suggests you believe someone did something wrong.
The teacher accused the student of cheating during the test.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Allegations
'Accuse' is used for serious situations, not small mistakes or accidents.
They accused the mayor of embezzlement, not just a minor error.
Pro Tip 3/3Requires Evidence
Accusations should be based on some kind of evidence or strong belief.
Witnesses accused him because they saw him running from the scene.
Pro Tip 1/3Implying Wrongdoing
Using 'accuse' often suggests you believe someone did something wrong.
The teacher accused the student of cheating during the test.
Pro Tip 2/3Serious Allegations
'Accuse' is used for serious situations, not small mistakes or accidents.
They accused the mayor of embezzlement, not just a minor error.
Pro Tip 3/3Requires Evidence
Accusations should be based on some kind of evidence or strong belief.
Witnesses accused him because they saw him running from the scene.
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Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
They're going to be willing and helpful to getting you to the truth. They're going to be willing to brainstorm, name suspects, provide details. They're going to say, "Hey, maybe it was those guys in payroll that forged those checks." They're going to be infuriated if they sense they're wrongly accused throughout the entire course of the interview, not just in flashes;
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
While their opponents accused them of despotism, wanting to maintain absolute power in the central government, their real motives were mostly practical. Changing the constitution when it had already been ratified by some states could complicate the entire process. More importantly, Madison felt that people's rights were already guaranteed
Video examples
How miscommunication...
Have you ever talked with a friend about a problem only to realize that he just doesn't seem to grasp why the issue is so important to you? Have you ever presented an idea to a group and it's met with utter confusion? Or maybe you've been in an argument when the other person suddenly accuses you
Video examples
Ugly History: Witch...
Though there was no evidence to support any of these claims, belief in witches became widespread. A witch hunt often began with a a failed harvest, a sick cow, or a stillborn child. Community members blamed witchcraft, and accused each other of being witches.
Video examples
What does my headscarf...
That's not what I'm saying. We all have our biases. They're the filters through which we see the world around us. I'm not accusing anyone, bias is not an accusation. Rather, it's something that has to be identified, acknowledged and mitigated against.
Video examples
The impact of Simón...
claim to want to return to public to private life but were called instead to shape governments and both were accused of undue ambition and their the similarities end when libras military action lasted more
Video examples
Who were the Vestal...
was no longer a virgin. That was the beginning of the end. The accused protested her innocence, but it wasn't enough. She was tried and found guilty. That Vestal's death was meant to protect the city,
Video examples
How a Woman's Donated...
thought I was her friend and and I she was my friend but I didn't want that this reveals a lot to me about her life I was accused of keeping her alive just because she was living for donating to
Video examples
Trial by Oil PIPE National...
guilt the judges turn to the oil for both accuser and accused a trial by oil as a measure of their conviction let's go the oil has reached its final boiling point the moment of truth is
Video examples
Sophisticated Mountain...
a major killer of these upland dwellers is actually humans Mountain has been accused of transmitting grouse killing ticks and are consequently persecuted and browse moorland
Video examples
How to spot a liar PIPE...
They're going to be willing and helpful to getting you to the truth. They're going to be willing to brainstorm, name suspects, provide details. They're going to say, "Hey, maybe it was those guys in payroll that forged those checks." They're going to be infuriated if they sense they're wrongly accused throughout the entire course of the interview, not just in flashes;
Video examples
Why wasn’t the Bill of...
While their opponents accused them of despotism, wanting to maintain absolute power in the central government, their real motives were mostly practical. Changing the constitution when it had already been ratified by some states could complicate the entire process. More importantly, Madison felt that people's rights were already guaranteed
Video examples
How miscommunication...
Have you ever talked with a friend about a problem only to realize that he just doesn't seem to grasp why the issue is so important to you? Have you ever presented an idea to a group and it's met with utter confusion? Or maybe you've been in an argument when the other person suddenly accuses you
Video examples
Ugly History: Witch...
Though there was no evidence to support any of these claims, belief in witches became widespread. A witch hunt often began with a a failed harvest, a sick cow, or a stillborn child. Community members blamed witchcraft, and accused each other of being witches.
Video examples
What does my headscarf...
That's not what I'm saying. We all have our biases. They're the filters through which we see the world around us. I'm not accusing anyone, bias is not an accusation. Rather, it's something that has to be identified, acknowledged and mitigated against.
Video examples
The impact of Simón...
claim to want to return to public to private life but were called instead to shape governments and both were accused of undue ambition and their the similarities end when libras military action lasted more
Video examples
Who were the Vestal...
was no longer a virgin. That was the beginning of the end. The accused protested her innocence, but it wasn't enough. She was tried and found guilty. That Vestal's death was meant to protect the city,
Video examples
How a Woman's Donated...
thought I was her friend and and I she was my friend but I didn't want that this reveals a lot to me about her life I was accused of keeping her alive just because she was living for donating to
Video examples
Trial by Oil PIPE National...
guilt the judges turn to the oil for both accuser and accused a trial by oil as a measure of their conviction let's go the oil has reached its final boiling point the moment of truth is
Video examples
Sophisticated Mountain...
a major killer of these upland dwellers is actually humans Mountain has been accused of transmitting grouse killing ticks and are consequently persecuted and browse moorland
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Jerrod Carmichael
American Actor
If you've ever liked an artist or someone who then does something or is accused of something extremely corrupt, and your moral conscience won't allow you to accept that artist, the truth is then that creates a void in your life. Because then something you loved was taken from you.
Quote examples
John Scott
In my books I might hold the mirror to my own face. If others would like to borrow the mirror, they're welcome. The books aren't there to accuse others - merely to raise issues and keep the debates alive.
Quote examples
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Filipino Statesman
I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime.
Quote examples
Hannah Fry
English Mathematician
Every criminal-justice system has to find some kind of balance between protecting the rights of innocent people falsely accused of crimes and protecting the victims of crimes.
Quote examples
Kenneth Lay
American Businessman
The last thing I would have ever expected to happen to me in my life would be that, in fact, I would be accused of doing something wrong and maybe even something criminal.
Quote examples
Ian Smith
Zimbabwean Politician
Everything we did was criticized. For about thirty years we lived with the world against us, accusing us of things we didn't do!
Quote examples
John Deacon
British Musician
But I've always been accused of being a bit tight with money, so it hasn't particularly changed my lifestyle.
Quote examples
Yotam Ottolenghi
Israeli Chef
I've been accused of having very long ingredient lists, and I guess there's some truth in that.
Quote examples
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada
Bolivian Politician
I was very identified with and accused of being a neo-liberal with respect to the economy.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
One of the things I've never been accused of is not caring about people.
Quote examples
Jerrod Carmichael
American Actor
If you've ever liked an artist or someone who then does something or is accused of something extremely corrupt, and your moral conscience won't allow you to accept that artist, the truth is then that creates a void in your life. Because then something you loved was taken from you.
Quote examples
John Scott
In my books I might hold the mirror to my own face. If others would like to borrow the mirror, they're welcome. The books aren't there to accuse others - merely to raise issues and keep the debates alive.
Quote examples
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
Filipino Statesman
I am falsely accused, without proof, of using my position for personal profit. Many who accuse me have lifestyles and spending habits that make them walking proofs of that crime.
Quote examples
Hannah Fry
English Mathematician
Every criminal-justice system has to find some kind of balance between protecting the rights of innocent people falsely accused of crimes and protecting the victims of crimes.
Quote examples
Kenneth Lay
American Businessman
The last thing I would have ever expected to happen to me in my life would be that, in fact, I would be accused of doing something wrong and maybe even something criminal.
Quote examples
Ian Smith
Zimbabwean Politician
Everything we did was criticized. For about thirty years we lived with the world against us, accusing us of things we didn't do!
Quote examples
John Deacon
British Musician
But I've always been accused of being a bit tight with money, so it hasn't particularly changed my lifestyle.
Quote examples
Yotam Ottolenghi
Israeli Chef
I've been accused of having very long ingredient lists, and I guess there's some truth in that.
Quote examples
Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada
Bolivian Politician
I was very identified with and accused of being a neo-liberal with respect to the economy.
Quote examples
Joe Biden
American President
One of the things I've never been accused of is not caring about people.
Example 1 of 10
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