recriminative
- adjective
- /rɪˈkrɪməˌneɪtɪv/
- Formal
- The debate quickly became recriminative as both sides started accusing each other of wrongdoing.
Examples
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His recriminative comments only served to escalate the conflict rather than resolve it.
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A recriminative exchange broke out during the meeting, disrupting any chance of compromise.
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This is recriminative!
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The discussion turned recriminative very quickly.
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The debate quickly became recriminative as both sides started accusing each other of wrongdoing.
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His recriminative comments only served to escalate the conflict rather than resolve it.
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A recriminative exchange broke out during the meeting, disrupting any chance of compromise.
Synonyms
Showing blame or suggesting someone did something wrong
Showing that someone did something wrong
Showing disapproval in voice or look
Showing blame toward someone
Causing people to blame each other in return
Showing blame or saying someone did something wrong
Suggesting that someone is guilty or to blame, especially in a legal case
Suggesting that someone did something wrong
How Accusatory
- Offensive
- Formal
Surface Forms
Morphology
recriminative = recriminate (opaque) = re + crimin + ate + ive
For learners who know the verb 'recriminate', the adjective 'recriminative' is a regular and readily interpretable -ive formation.
Etymology
The word recriminative is made from re- ('again') and crim- ('charge' or 'accuse'), the same idea behind crime and criminal. So a recriminative reply answers an accusation with another accusation, which only makes the argument worse.