Recriminate
To make accusations against someone who has previously accused you; to respond to an accusation by making a counter-accusation. It involves shifting blame and often escalates conflict by introducing new charges. The act of recrimination is typically used to deflect attention from one's own actions or to weaken the opposing party's position. It can be a common tactic in disputes, arguments, and legal proceedings, serving as a form of attack rather than defense.
Recriminate meaning with examples
- After the company was criticized for poor environmental practices, instead of addressing the issues, the CEO began to recriminate, pointing fingers at the accusers and claiming their motivations were politically driven and the accusations unsubstantiated. This diverted attention from the original complaints and inflamed tensions. The accusations, in turn, started a downward spiral.
- During the heated debate, when one candidate questioned the other about their voting record, the accused candidate immediately began to recriminate, accusing their opponent of similar ethical lapses and financial improprieties, effectively changing the subject and avoiding the primary issue. The crowd responded with confusion. Both sides refused to answer the initial accusations.
- In the midst of a messy divorce, the couple began to constantly recriminate each other, each making claims about the other's infidelity, financial irresponsibility, and neglect of the children. Instead of focusing on a reasonable and amicable settlement, they sunk further into the animosity that was fueling the split. The lawyers loved the accusations as this meant more billing.
- When a colleague brought forward concerns about workplace bullying, the accused individual quickly chose to recriminate, asserting the accuser was a poor performer and frequently made insensitive comments to others. This tactic sought to discredit the initial complaint by attacking the accuser's character, effectively turning the tables and trying to stop the investigation.
