accusatory

adjective

ac·​cu·​sa·​to·​ry ə-ˈkyü-zə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: containing or expressing accusation : accusing

an accusatory look

Examples of accusatory in a Sentence

He pointed an accusatory finger at the suspect.

The book has a harsh, accusatory tone.

Recent Examples on the Web

This sets off a vicious cycle: the more general and accusatory the language, the more likely the listener is to tune out, leaving the speaker feeling unheard and escalating future conflicts. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

To keep the conversation productive, speak honestly but not in an accusatory tone, Flores suggests. —Angela Haupt, Time, 16 Apr. 2025

My mother-in-law seemed quite unperturbed by the accusatory tone of the question. —Hazlitt, 2 Apr. 2025

Synonyms for rest, like idle and inactivity, have a rather accusatory tone suggesting a lack of productivity. —Ellen Choi, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin accūsātōrius "of a prosecutor, denunciatory," from accūsātor "prosecutor, accuser" (from accūsāre "to call to account, accuse" + -tor, agent suffix) + -ius, adjective suffix

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing accusatory

• self-accusatory

Rhymes for accusatory

• admonitory
• ambulatory
• amendatory
• celebratory
• circulatory
• combinatory
• commendatory
• compensatory
• condemnatory
• confirmatory
• confiscatory
• consolatory

Kids Definition

accusatory

adjective

ac·​cu·​sa·​to·​ry ə-ˈkyü-zə-ˌtōr-ē 

-ˌtȯr-

: containing or expressing accusation

an accusatory look

Legal Definition

accusatory

adjective

ac·​cus·​a·​to·​ry ə-ˈkyü-zə-ˌtōr-ē 

1

: containing or expressing an accusation

the accusatory pleading

2

: accusatorial