recriminate

[/rɪˈkrɪmɪneɪt/]
verb
recriminar
1. to accuse someone in return; to make counter-accusations against someone who has accused you
When confronted about his mistakes, he began to recriminate his colleagues for their failures.
Quando confrontado sobre seus erros, ele começou a recriminar seus colegas por seus fracassos.
2. to engage in mutual accusations; to return an accusation with another accusation
The two parties continued to recriminate throughout the legal proceedings.
As duas partes continuaram a se recriminarem durante todo o processo legal.
In Brazilian legal and formal contexts, 'recriminar' is commonly used in disputes and arguments where parties exchange accusations. In the USA, this term is more formal and less frequently used in everyday speech, appearing more often in legal or academic contexts. The concept of mutual accusations is universal but the specific verb 'recriminate' is considered somewhat formal in English.
NYC Slang
throw it back in someone's face; call someone out right back
Synonyms / Sinônimos
counter-accuseretaliateaccuse in returnblame backshoot back
Antonyms / Antônimos
acceptacknowledgeadmitconcede

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
recriminar
Standard usage in formal and informal contexts
Portugal
recriminar
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; formal and legal contexts
São Paulo
recriminar; apontar erros de volta
More colloquial alternatives include 'apontar erros de volta' or 'acusar em troca'

Related Words

recriminationrecriminatoryaccusationcounter-chargeretaliation

Related Idioms & Phrases

recriminate against someone
mutual recrimination
point the finger back
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