recriminate

[ ri-krim-uh-neyt ]
See synonyms for recriminate on Thesaurus.com
verb (used without object),re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.
  1. to bring a countercharge against an accuser.

verb (used with object),re·crim·i·nat·ed, re·crim·i·nat·ing.
  1. to accuse in return.

Origin of recriminate

1
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Medieval Latin recrīminātus “accused,” past participle of recrīminārī “to accuse in turn,” from re- re- + crīmin- (stem of crīmen “accusation, blame, charge”; see crime) + -ārī, infinitive verb suffix

Other words from recriminate

  • re·crim·i·na·tion, noun
  • re·crim·i·na·tive, re·crim·i·na·to·ry [ri-krim-uh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /rɪˈkrɪm ə nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective
  • re·crim·i·na·tor, noun
  • un·re·crim·i·na·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use recriminate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for recriminate

recriminate

/ (rɪˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt) /


verb
  1. (intr) to return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations

Origin of recriminate

1
C17: from Medieval Latin recrīmināre, from Latin crīminārī to accuse, from crīmen an accusation; see crime

Derived forms of recriminate

  • recriminative or recriminatory, adjective
  • recriminator, noun

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