accusationac‧cu‧sa‧tion /ˌækjəˈzeɪʃən/ ●○○ noun [countable] 
A number of serious accusations have been made against her. The main accusation levelled against him was that he tried to avoid military service.accusation of His administration now faces accusations of corruption.accusation that The organizers of the march strongly denied government accusations that they intended to cause trouble. Burton’s enemies had made false accusations against him. She’s made all sorts of wild accusations against me in the past. They fled the country, amid accusations of corruption.COLLOCATIONSverbsmake an accusation· You’ve made a lot of accusations but you haven’t got any evidence.bring an accusation against somebody· The accusations against him were brought by two 18-year-old women.level an accusation against/at somebody (=bring an accusation against someone)· As a result, some outrageous accusations were levelled at her.face an accusation (=have an accusation made about you)· The police faced accusations of using excessive force.deny/dismiss an accusation· The government denied accusations of corruption.prove/support an accusation· There were very few facts to support the accusation against him.adjectivesserious· These are very serious accusations indeed.false· There were a lot of false accusations throughout the trial.unfounded/groundless (=not based on facts or reason)· The accusation is totally unfounded.· The embassy denied what it called groundless accusations about its involvement in the attack.outrageous (=shocking and extremely unfair)· He was drunk and his accusations were becoming more and more outrageous.a wild accusation (=with no evidence to support it)· She’s made all sorts of wild accusations about him, hasn’t she?bitter accusations (=angry)· The dispute was marked by bitter accusations from both sides.repeated accusations· Repeated accusations of neglect were made against the authorities.renewed accusations (=made again, often in a more forceful way)· The government faced renewed accusations of corruption.further accusations· There were further accusations of incompetence.phrasesamid accusations of something (=surrounded by accusations)· He fled the country amid accusations of fraud.THESAURUSaccusation a statement saying that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · The army has faced accusations of racism.allegation a public statement accusing someone of doing something although it has not been proved: · He denied allegations that he received a bribe.· Police are investigating allegations of corruption.charge an official statement by the police accusing someone of a crime and saying that they must go to court, or a statement saying that someone has done something bad, made by anyone: · He appeared in court on a murder charge.· She denied the charge that the article had been misleading.indictment law especially American English an official written statement accusing someone of a crime so that they will be judged under the American legal system: · He is under indictment for credit card fraud.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A number of accusations have been levelled against Hutchinson by his former colleagues.
- A spokesman said the accusations against Mr Fallon would be investigated.
- Pickens has denied the bribery accusations.
- There have been accusations of racism in the Los Angeles Police Department.
- You've made a lot of accusations but you haven't come up with any evidence to support them.
- You shouldn't make any wild accusations if you're not absolutely sure that Wilkins stole the money.
- A frequent accusation levelled against the nouveau roman and, indeed, both modernism and postmodernism is their apolitical nature.
- Aikman reportedly was incensed at the accusation and talked to several black players to see whether they had a problem with him.
- College officials were said to be skeptical about her accusations.
- He strongly denied accusations that Conservative policies had failed, leading to soaring crime figures.
- I still have the news clippings from that, arguments, accusations of censorship.
- Journalists who repeated this accusation either had not read the Report, or were simply being malicious.
- Some accusations are not true or only partly true.
- This can make those rare beings quite boring - an accusation you could never level at Jack.
THESAURUS
a statement saying that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · The army has faced accusations of racism.
a public statement accusing someone of doing something although it has not been proved: · He denied allegations that he received a bribe.· Police are investigating allegations of corruption.
an official statement by the police accusing someone of a crime and saying that they must go to court, or a statement saying that someone has done something bad, made by anyone: · He appeared in court on a murder charge.· She denied the charge that the article had been misleading.
law especially American English an official written statement accusing someone of a crime so that they will be judged under the American legal system: · He is under indictment for credit card fraud.
Longman Language Activatorto say that you think someone has done something bad : accuse somebody of doing something · Human rights lawyers have accused the police of beating Murkett to death. · The man accused of kidnapping Lucy Pohl has been found guilty.accuse somebody of something · Protesters angrily accused the police of violence and intimidation.· A former businessman has gone on trial accused of a two million pound investment fraud.accuse somebody · How can you accuse me without knowing all the facts?
a statement saying that someone has done something bad : make an accusation: · You've made a lot of accusations but you haven't come up with any evidence to support them.accusation against: · A spokesman said the accusations against Mr Fallon would be investigated.accusation of: · There have been accusations of racism in the Los Angeles Police Department.level an accusation against somebody/something formal (=make an accusation): · A number of accusations have been levelled against Hutchinson by his former colleagues.wild accusation (=an accusation made without thinking carefully first): · You shouldn't make any wild accusations if you're not absolutely sure that Wilkins stole the money.
to say publicly that someone has done something bad or illegal, even though this has not been proved - used especially in newspapers and news reports : (allege that): · In a statement to the press, Massey alleged that her husband had planned to kill her.be alleged to have done something: · Taylor is alleged to have used public money to buy expensive presents for her friends.it is alleged that: · It has been alleged that senior officials were involved in a $20 million drugs deal.
a public statement saying that someone has done something bad or illegal, even though this has not been proved: make an allegation: · The newspaper made several allegations, none of which turned out to be true.allegation of: · There were allegations of corruption in the police department.allegation about: · The book contains shocking allegations about the senator's private life.allegation that: · There have been allegations in the press that the fire was started deliberately.serious allegation: · These are serious allegations. Do you have any evidence to support them?deny an allegation (=say it is false): · Weimar denied allegations of financial mismanagement.
to accuse someone of doing something by showing them the proof against them: confront somebody with the evidence/proof etc: · The FBI confronted Schmidt with the evidence of his part in the murder plot.
to say that you think someone is probably responsible for something bad that has happened, although you do not have definite proof: · Someone's lost the letter and the boss is pointing the finger at me.
if you look at, point at, or speak to someone accusingly , you do it in a way that shows you think they have done something bad: · Janet suddenly pointed at me, and everyone looked at me accusingly.· "You did it, Tom," she said accusingly. "I know you didn't mean to, but you did do it."
WORD SETSabet, verbaccusation, nounaccuse, verbaffray, nounarson, nounassault, nounassault and battery, nounbackhander, nounbattery, nounbigamy, nounblack market, nounblack marketeer, nounbreak-in, nounbreaking and entering, nouncaper, nouncapital, adjectivecarjacking, nouncat burglar, nouncontract, nouncosh, nouncounterfeit, adjectivecounterfeit, verbcover, nouncrack, verbcriminal, adjectivecriminal, nouncriminal law, nouncriminal record, nouncriminology, nouncrook, nounculpable, adjectiveculprit, noundefamation, noundefraud, verbdelinquency, noundelinquent, adjectivedelinquent, noundesperado, noundisorderly, adjectivedrug baron, noundrug runner, nounDUI, nounembezzle, verbexpropriate, verbextort, verbeyewitness, nounfelon, nounfelony, nounfence, nounfiddle, nounfiddle, verbfiddler, nounfilch, verbfinger, verbfire-raising, nounfirst offender, nounflash, verbflasher, nounforge, verbforger, nounforgery, nounfoul play, nounframe, verbframe-up, nounfratricide, nounfraud, nounfreebooter, noungang, noungang-bang, noungang rape, noungangster, nounGBH, noungenocide, noungetaway, noungodfather, noungrand larceny, noungrass, noungrievous bodily harm, nounheist, nounhijack, verbhijack, nounhijacking, nounhit, nounhit-and-run, adjectivehit man, nounincriminate, verbindecent assault, nounindecent exposure, nouninfanticide, nounjob, nounjoyriding, nounjuvenile delinquent, nounkidnap, verblarceny, nounlibel, nounlibel, verblibellous, adjectivelow life, nounmafioso, nounmalpractice, nounmanslaughter, nounmassacre, nounmassacre, verbmatricide, nounmisappropriate, verbmisconduct, nounmisdeed, nounmisdemeanour, nounmobster, nounmoll, nounmug, verbmugshot, nounmurder, nounmurder, verbmurderer, nounmurderess, nounmuscleman, nounnark, nounnefarious, adjectiveneighbourhood watch, nounnick, verbno-go area, nounoffence, nounoffend, verboffender, nounold lag, nounorganized crime, nounoutlaw, nounparricide, nounpatricide, nounpetty larceny, nounPhotofit, nounpiracy, nounplant, verbpoach, verbpoacher, nounpossession, nounprivateer, nounprotection, nounprowl, verbprowler, nounpublic nuisance, nounpull, verbpunk, nounpurloin, verbraid, nounram-raiding, nounrape, verbrape, nounrapist, nounravish, verbreceiver, nounreceiving, nounrecidivist, nounregicide, nounring, nounringleader, nounriotous, adjectiverob, verbrobber, nounrobbery, nounroll, verbrustler, nounscheme, nounscheme, verbshady, adjectiveshoplift, verbshoplifting, nounslander, nounsmuggle, verbsnout, nounspeeding, nounstabbing, nounstalking, nounstatutory offence, nounstatutory rape, nounsteal, verbstoolpigeon, nounsupergrass, nounsuspect, nounswag, nountheft, nounthief, nounthievish, adjectivetorch, verbtraffic, nountrafficker, nountriad, noununder-the-counter, adjectiveunderworld, nounundesirable, nounvagrancy, nounvandal, nounvandalism, nounvandalize, verbvice, nounvigilante, nounvillainy, nounviolate, verbviolation, nounwanted, adjective
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs He held a press conference to confute accusations that he had supported the riots.
· You’ve made a lot of accusations but you haven’t got any evidence.
· The accusations against him were brought by two 18-year-old women.
(=bring an accusation against someone)· As a result, some outrageous accusations were levelled at her.
(=have an accusation made about you)· The police faced accusations of using excessive force.
· The government denied accusations of corruption.
· There were very few facts to support the accusation against him.
adjectives· These are very serious accusations indeed.
· There were a lot of false accusations throughout the trial.
(=not based on facts or reason)· The accusation is totally unfounded.· The embassy denied what it called groundless accusations about its involvement in the attack.
(=shocking and extremely unfair)· He was drunk and his accusations were becoming more and more outrageous.
(=with no evidence to support it)· She’s made all sorts of wild accusations about him, hasn’t she?
(=angry)· The dispute was marked by bitter accusations from both sides.
· Repeated accusations of neglect were made against the authorities.
(=made again, often in a more forceful way)· The government faced renewed accusations of corruption.
· There were further accusations of incompetence.
phrases (=surrounded by accusations)· He fled the country amid accusations of fraud.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES He held a press conference to confute accusations that he had supported the riots.· He has strongly denied allegations of corruption.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· There were a lot of false accusations throughout the trial....· Witness Goosby had no reason to make false accusations, Avila said.· Prime is connected with the trial before Pilate and false accusation.· Supporters argue that the measure would provide care centers protection from false accusations.· He had hurt her enough with his false accusations.· His enemies had made false accusations against him and wanted to drag him through the mire.· I knew Hertz Lipmann would have willingly made a false accusation against anyone, if the Party required it of him.
· There are also the possibly more serious accusations that positive harm has been done, and this, particularly to the children.
· She had barely recognized their cool, urbane general manager in the seedy, vengeful man who had made such wild accusations.· It is typical of painters, he wrote, to make these wild accusations, wild generalizations.· As the beer flows in the working men's club, the drinkers make wilder accusations.· He has grown utterly paranoid, making wild accusations and threats.· The wilder the accusations the easier it is to say humbug.
VERB· The Equitable debacle has brought renewed accusations of mis-selling and turned a spotlight on the effectiveness of regulation.· This step brought accusations of political patronage.
· The Kennel Club defend themselves against accusations that they do not do enough to curtail irresponsible breeding.
· Naimski, who denied the coup accusations, was dismissed.· The bank has denied the accusations.· The organizers had strongly denied government accusations that the protest was an attempt to heighten political tensions.· But law enforcement and government representatives have unequivocally denied the accusations.· Jack furiously denied Harry's accusations.· Just as frequently, Buchanan denies those accusations.
· Assault claim: A 15-year-old Darlington boy appeared before the town's Juvenile Court yesterday facing accusations of assault.· He faces charges stemming from accusations made by several trainees.· Mr Major now faces accusations that he forced the Maastricht motion through the House for no urgent reason.
· Had he heard the accusations she'd thrown at Doreen?· It shocked Rain to realize the Josephs might already have heard of her accusations.· Pray that the missionary may refuse to hear any accusations from Satan against his fellow workers and believers.· They heard accusations that his manner of life in public and private affairs was secular.
· The revelations will deeply embarrass the security services and lead to further accusations of incompetence as yet another operative tells his story.· She was clever enough to know that any moves she made which might lead to accusations of favouritism from above could backfire.· This has led to accusations that IFAs are just as biased as tied agents.· Some began to negotiate better terms for their own patients which led to accusations of a two-tier service.· This has led to accusations that the artist is betraying the fatherland.
· She had barely recognized their cool, urbane general manager in the seedy, vengeful man who had made such wild accusations.· Witness Goosby had no reason to make false accusations, Avila said.· It would be fun to try, I admit, but I don't think we could make the accusations stick.· His enemies had made false accusations against him and wanted to drag him through the mire.· And then, the prior's reluctant to make any accusations against Isambard but on good, solid evidence.· Those who make the accusations suffer, as do their families and friends and those who are accused.· I knew Hertz Lipmann would have willingly made a false accusation against anyone, if the Party required it of him.
· He has rejected all the accusations and said he did not want to ask the president for pardon.· The university has rejected the accusation, as Gareth Furby reports.
PHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► rumours/accusations etc are flying
- Avon and Somerset Police have summonsed Redknapp to appear in court to answer charges of alleged abusive conduct.
- His finance minister was busy answering charges of bribery.
- In particular non-disclosure makes it difficult to answer charges that the government's policies are not properly coordinated.
- The meeting was called to answer criticisms and make mid-course corrections.
- She heard the boys hurling abuse at her, shouting to her to stop, but she shut her ears to them.
- There is not much to be achieved by hurling insults.
- When I first met her she had been hurling abuse at her daughters-in-law who took no notice whatsoever.
- Even Mrs Thatcher levelled criticism at the lack of compartment privacy, but the policy against compartments was now firmly established.
WORD FAMILYnounaccusationthe accusedaccuseradjectiveaccusingverbaccuseadverbaccusingly
a statement saying that someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something wrongaccusation against A number of serious accusations have been made against her. The main accusation levelled against him was that he tried to avoid military service.accusation of His administration now faces accusations of corruption.accusation that The organizers of the march strongly denied government accusations that they intended to cause trouble. Burton’s enemies had made false accusations against him. She’s made all sorts of wild accusations against me in the past. They fled the country, amid accusations of corruption.COLLOCATIONSverbsmake an accusation· You’ve made a lot of accusations but you haven’t got any evidence.bring an accusation against somebody· The accusations against him were brought by two 18-year-old women.level an accusation against/at somebody (=bring an accusation against someone)· As a result, some outrageous accusations were levelled at her.face an accusation (=have an accusation made about you)· The police faced accusations of using excessive force.deny/dismiss an accusation· The government denied accusations of corruption.prove/support an accusation· There were very few facts to support the accusation against him.adjectivesserious· These are very serious accusations indeed.false· There were a lot of false accusations throughout the trial.unfounded/groundless (=not based on facts or reason)· The accusation is totally unfounded.· The embassy denied what it called groundless accusations about its involvement in the attack.outrageous (=shocking and extremely unfair)· He was drunk and his accusations were becoming more and more outrageous.a wild accusation (=with no evidence to support it)· She’s made all sorts of wild accusations about him, hasn’t she?bitter accusations (=angry)· The dispute was marked by bitter accusations from both sides.repeated accusations· Repeated accusations of neglect were made against the authorities.renewed accusations (=made again, often in a more forceful way)· The government faced renewed accusations of corruption.further accusations· There were further accusations of incompetence.phrasesamid accusations of something (=surrounded by accusations)· He fled the country amid accusations of fraud.THESAURUSaccusation a statement saying that you believe someone is guilty of a crime or of doing something bad: · The army has faced accusations of racism.allegation a public statement accusing someone of doing something although it has not been proved: · He denied allegations that he received a bribe.· Police are investigating allegations of corruption.charge an official statement by the police accusing someone of a crime and saying that they must go to court, or a statement saying that someone has done something bad, made by anyone: · He appeared in court on a murder charge.· She denied the charge that the article had been misleading.indictment law especially American English an official written statement accusing someone of a crime so that they will be judged under the American legal system: · He is under indictment for credit card fraud.