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

Cue an angry flare-up when Rosler came off the bench to score City’s second goal and ran to the dugout, jabbing an accusatory finger at the home manager. —Daniel Taylor, The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024

An extraordinary moment when a Catholic Mass is interrupted by yet another accusatory letter floating down through the vaulting arches epitomizes the psychic damage a nation inflicts upon itself. —Armond White, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024

Their rhetoric was often both personal and accusatory, despite their warm opening handshake, with each candidate adding a pat to the bicep of the other. —John C. Moritz, Austin American-Statesman, 16 Oct. 2024

Because the accusatory instrument was amended, Timberlake has to be arraigned again. —Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 July 2024

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

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