Recriminates

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. To attribute fault to each other in response to charges made by an individual or group
2. To engage in a back-and-forth of blame where each party responds with accusations against the other
3. accuses each other in return when faced with charges

Etymology: The Latin "crimen" originally meant a charge or accusation, not a wrongdoing. "Recriminare" added "re-", meaning back or in return, so to recriminate is literally to accuse in return, with each side answering the other's charge. The English verb comes from the past participle of that Latin verb, "recriminatus", and it entered English as a formal term before settling into everyday use. The noun "recrimination" is built the same way, from the same Latin stem. The root also gave English "crime", which later narrowed to its modern sense of an offence. The verb keeps the older meaning of mutual accusation at its core.

Synonyms: blame, accuse, reproach, denounce, scold

Antonyms: forgive, pardon, excuse, absolve, condone