Counter-accusation

A counter-accusation is a claim or accusation made in response to a prior accusation. It's a defensive tactic where the accused turns the tables, alleging wrongdoing against the accuser. This strategy aims to shift the focus, discredit the initial claim, and potentially muddy the waters of the controversy. It can be a legal maneuver, a political strategy, or a personal response, often used to deflect blame or gain a strategic advantage. The effectiveness of a counter-accusation depends on its validity, relevance, and the perception of the audience or decision-makers involved.

Counter-accusation meaning with examples

• Following allegations of financial impropriety, the CEO issued a counter-accusation, claiming the whistleblower had falsified documents to damage the company's reputation and secure personal financial gain. This shifted the focus away from the original accusations of misuse of company funds.
• During the heated debate, the politician responded to an opponent's criticism of their policy with a counter-accusation, highlighting the opponent's own past inconsistencies on similar issues. This aimed to undermine the credibility of the initial criticism.
• In the legal dispute, the defendant filed a counter-accusation, alleging the plaintiff's negligence contributed to the incident that caused the initial lawsuit. This introduced a new point of contention and complexified the legal proceedings.
• After being accused of spreading rumors, the student issued a counter-accusation, claiming the accuser was the one who initiated the gossip in the first place. This moved attention away from the initial claim and suggested hypocrisy.