recrimination
MediumFormal
Definition
Meaning
An accusation made in response to another accusation.
A counter-charge or blame thrown back in response to an accusation, often leading to a cycle of mutual blame, common in conflicts or disputes.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies a tit-for-tat exchange of accusations, emphasizing mutual blame and escalation in conflicts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage between British and American English.
Connotations
Similar in both dialects, associated with legal, political, or serious personal conflicts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, though slightly more common in formal contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
recrimination against [person]recrimination over [issue]recrimination between [parties]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “recriminations fly”
- “in a storm of recrimination”
- “a war of recrimination”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in workplace disputes, negotiations, or corporate conflicts where parties blame each other for failures.
Academic
Common in political science, law, psychology, and sociology when analyzing conflicts, debates, or historical events.
Everyday
Less frequent, but used in serious arguments, family disputes, or community disagreements.
Technical
In legal contexts, referring to counter-allegations in court cases or diplomatic settings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He decided to recriminate against his colleague after the unfair criticism.
- She might recriminate if the allegations persist.
American English
- She recriminated by filing a counter-complaint with the board.
- They often recriminate during heated discussions.
adjective
British English
- The debate turned recriminatory with harsh accusations from both sides.
- Their recriminatory remarks only worsened the situation.
American English
- The meeting ended on a recriminatory note, with no resolution in sight.
- His recriminatory attitude didn't help the negotiation.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- After the argument, there was recrimination between the friends.
- Recrimination made the problem worse in the family.
- The drivers started recrimination after the minor collision.
- In the meeting, recrimination arose over the missed deadline.
- The political debate descended into mutual recrimination, with each side blaming the other.
- A cycle of recrimination developed, hindering any progress.
- In the aftermath of the scandal, a protracted cycle of recrimination ensued, exacerbating the breakdown in institutional trust.
- The diplomatic talks were marred by recrimination, with both nations exchanging harsh accusations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 're-' meaning again, and 'crimination' related to 'crime' or accusation, so an accusation made again in response.
Conceptual Metaphor
A verbal ping-pong game of blame, where accusations are volleyed back and forth.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'криминал' (crime); 'recrimination' translates to 'взаимные обвинения' or 'контрообвинение'.
- Avoid using 'репримация' as it is not a standard Russian word.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'recrimination' as a verb; the correct verb is 'recriminate'.
- Confusing with 'incrimination' which means to accuse someone of a crime.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'recrimination'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is more common in formal or serious contexts such as legal disputes, academic discussions, or political debates.
No, 'recrimination' is a noun. The verb form is 'recriminate', meaning to make a counter-accusation.
'Recrimination' specifically refers to an accusation made in response to another accusation, implying a mutual exchange, while 'accusation' is a general term for blaming someone.
In American English, it is typically pronounced as /rɪˌkrɪm.əˈneɪ.ʃən/, with a schwa sound in the second syllable.
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