Counteraccusation

/ˌkaʊntərækjuˈzeɪʃən/ noun

Definition

An accusation made in response to another accusation; a claim that someone has wronged you, made in reply to their claim that you wronged them.

Etymology

From 'counter-' (opposite, in return) plus 'accusation' (a charge of wrongdoing, from Latin 'accusare'). This compound describes the typical legal or personal pattern of responding to blame with blame.

Kelly Says

Legal systems are familiar with counteraccusations—when someone sues you and you sue them back, you're making a counteraccusation of wrongdoing, turning a one-way blame into a negotiation!

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