# accessariness

CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/accessariness
Updated: 2026-06-04

## Definition

the state of being an accessory to a crime. This means you helped someone else commit a crime, even if you did not do the main act yourself.

For teachers: the state or quality of being an accessory to a crime. Refers to the legal status of a person who provides assistance or encouragement to the principal offender.

## Examples

- The court ruled that his accessariness was proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
- In many jurisdictions, the law treats accessariness with the same severity as the actual commission of the crime.
- The prosecution's case hinged on proving accessariness, as the defendant had not physically entered the building but had provided the keys and the plan to the primary perpetrator.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.