Recrimination

Noun

Definition: A counter-accusation or retaliation against an accuser or a person who has made allegations.

Synonyms: Retaliation, Counter-accusation, Accusation in response

Antonyms: Acknowledgement, Admission

Examples:

After he accused her of stealing, there was a heated exchange of recriminations.
The argument quickly devolved into a cycle of recriminations.

Mnemonics:

Think of "re-" as "against" and "crimination" as "accusation."
Recrimination can be seen as a response to an accusation.

Etymology:

Origin:

The word "recrimination" derives from the Latin word "recriminatio," which means "retort" or "reproach."

Historical Usage:

The term has been commonly used in legal contexts to describe the act of counter-accusing or responding to accusations since the 16th century.

Related Idioms:

Idiom:

"Cycle of recriminations"

Explanation:

Refers to a situation where multiple parties involved in a conflict or argument continually accuse and counter-accuse each other, resulting in an escalating exchange of blame.

Misconceptions:

Misconception:

Confusing recrimination with accusation.

Explanation:

While recrimination involves the act of accusing or responding to accusations, it specifically refers to the counter-accusation or retaliation against an accuser. It is not synonymous with a simple accusation.