Word
accusing
Phoneticsac·cus·ing, stress on the second syllable
US/əkˈjuzɪŋ/
UK/ɐkjˈuːzɪŋ/
Definitions
01showing blame
B1 · Intermediate
adj. showing that you think someone has done something bad or illegal.
adj. expressing or suggesting a belief in someone's guilt or wrongdoing through tone, gesture, or expression.
“She gave him an accusing look when she saw the broken vase on the floor.”
“The prosecutor maintained an accusing tone throughout the cross-examination, pointedly highlighting the inconsistencies in the witness's timeline.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it describes, such as 'look', 'tone', or 'finger'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02blaming someone
B1 · Intermediate
v. the act of saying that someone has done something wrong.
v. the present participle of 'accuse', used to form continuous tenses or as a participle phrase.
“They are accusing him of stealing the money from the office safe.”
“By accusing the board of negligence, the shareholders triggered a mandatory internal investigation into the company's financial practices.”
Usage
When used as a verb, it is typically followed by the preposition 'of'.
Antonyms
03the act of blaming
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the act of blaming someone or making an accusation.
n. the gerund form of the verb, representing the abstract act of making a charge or claim of wrongdoing.
“Constant accusing will not help us solve the problem.”
“The endless accusing between the two political factions made it impossible to reach a meaningful compromise on the budget.”
Usage
Functions as the subject or object of a sentence.
Synonyms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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