What does recriminatory mean?
Recriminatory refers to a tendency to throw blame or criticism back at someone who is accusing or criticizing you. This can be a defensive or counterattacking response, often used in formal or written contexts. The word is derived from the Latin 'recriminare', meaning 'to accuse back'. In politics or academia, recriminatory remarks can fuel arguments and make it harder to resolve conflicts. However, in some cases, recriminatory responses can be seen as a necessary or justified reaction to unfair criticism. Overall, recriminatory is a useful word for describing a complex and nuanced aspect of human behavior.
adjectiveTending to throw blame or criticism back at someone who is accusing or criticizing you.
- Tending to throw blame or criticism back at someone who is accusing or criticizing you.
"Her recriminatory remarks only fueled the argument, making it harder to resolve."
"Her recriminatory remarks only fueled the argument, making it harder to resolve."
"The politician's recriminatory tone during the debate was widely criticized."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of recriminatory
The word 'recriminatory' is derived from the Latin 'recriminare', which means 'to accuse back'. This Latin word is a combination of 're-' (back) and 'criminare' (to accuse). The Latin 'recriminare' is also the source of the English word 'recrimination', which refers to the act of accusing or blaming someone back.
How recriminatory is actually used
Recriminatory is often used in formal or written contexts, such as in politics or academia, to describe a defensive or counterattacking response.