as in accusation
the act of blaming someone for a problem instead of trying to fix or solve it
Engaging in finger-pointing will not help us solve the problem. There was no shortage of finger-pointing among executives after the movie bombed at the box office.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of finger-pointing
The sudden blowup was the most heated public exchange of words between world leaders in the Oval Office in memory, as the usual staid work of diplomacy descended into finger-pointing, shouting and eye-rolling.
—
Zeke Miller, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Such finger-pointing was common practice at the commission’s quarterly meeting in early February, where families, friends and supporters of people who have died in custody of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office asked the commission to deem the jail out of compliance with minimum standards.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
No finger-pointing, no turf wars, no power grabs.
—Bill Morris, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2025
Even still, political finger-pointing began almost immediately.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Zeke Miller, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Such finger-pointing was common practice at the commission’s quarterly meeting in early February, where families, friends and supporters of people who have died in custody of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office asked the commission to deem the jail out of compliance with minimum standards.
—Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025
No finger-pointing, no turf wars, no power grabs.
—Bill Morris, Big Think, 5 Feb. 2025
Even still, political finger-pointing began almost immediately.
—Alex Fitzpatrick, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
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Users suspected that their creative output might be used to train Adobe’s generative AI models, an accusation the company denied.—
Will McCurdy,
PC Magazine,
12 Apr. 2025
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In the case of Sienna Evans, who came onto the show as Shep’s love interest, was met with accusations of using him for money, fame, and celebrity by his cast members.—
Taylor Crumpton,
Essence,
11 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Nearly half is devoted to shifting all blame for October 7 to Bar, absolving himself.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
25 Apr. 2025
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Although Joe never met him, Clyde’s not shy about casting blame in his direction.—
Sara Netzley,
EW.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Carr has multiple probes in progress, and his investigation into CBS over the editing of an interview with Kamala Harris has drawn condemnations from both liberal and conservative advocacy groups that describe it as a threat to the Constitutional right to free speech.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
7 Apr. 2025
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The politically explosive ruling drew condemnation from her right-wing allies in Europe and across the Atlantic.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Dina got to be with him, Dina got to spend that last day with him, and there's a lot of guilt and regret on Ellie's part.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
21 Apr. 2025
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Families who lose a loved one are prone to mental health deficits such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety, compounded by feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame, and condemnation, often resulting in social isolation.—
William Mullane,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Similarly, in the legal profession, lawyers who violate state bar codes of conduct are subject to discipline, such as censure, suspension, or loss of license to practice law.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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Representative Lauren Boebert has criticized her colleague Representative Chrissy Houlahan, the Pennsylvania Democrat who introduced a motion of censure against the Colorado Republican on Monday.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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