What does recriminate mean?
To recriminate is to accuse someone in return, usually after being accused, criticized, or blamed. The word emphasizes the retaliatory nature of the response: the speaker does not merely defend against a charge but launches a counter-accusation. Recrimination is especially common in legal disputes, political arguments, and interpersonal conflict, where it can suggest a cycle of blame. The expression “mutual recrimination” describes a situation in which each side accuses the other. Although the word can be used broadly, it has a formal tone and is more typical of public, professional, or legal discourse than of casual conversation. Its usefulness lies in capturing the act of answering criticism with accusation. It also makes clear that the response is defensive or retaliatory, rather than a calm attempt to establish the facts.
verbTo accuse someone in return, especially after being accused or criticized. It can also mean to retaliate with counter-accusations.
- To make counter-accusations against someone, particularly in response to an accusation, criticism, or blame.
"Rather than address the criticism, he chose to recriminate against his accusers."
"The two witnesses spent the hearing recriminating against one another rather than answering the questioner's questions."
"In the debate, critics of the policy accused its supporters of bad faith, and the supporters recriminated against the critics."
Recriminate turns accusation into a verbal counterattack: when criticism comes back, it can come back with charges of its own.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does recriminate come from?
Recriminate comes from Latin recriminari, formed from re-, meaning “back” or “against,” and criminari, meaning “to accuse.” The underlying root crimen, meaning “accusation” or “charge,” also underlies criminal, crime, and incriminate. The English word developed in the early 17th century, initially in the sense of accusing or charging someone, and later came to emphasize retaliatory accusation.
Related word forms
How recriminate is actually used
This is a formal word, common in legal, political, and argumentative contexts. It often appears with “against” and carries the connotation of retaliatory blame rather than a straightforward rebuttal.
Easily confused with recriminate
To recriminate is to make a counter-accusation, whereas to incriminate is to implicate someone in wrongdoing.