B1verblawcrime
US/əˈkjuːz/
UK/əˈkjuːz/
to say that someone has done something wrong or illegal
In context
The opposition accused the government of hiding the true cost of the project.
He was accused of stealing company data and selling it online.
Please don't accuse people of lying without any real proof.
Words that go with accuse
verb + preposition
- accuse ofNobody can accuse her of being lazy.
adverb + verb
- falsely accuseHe spent two years trying to show that he had been falsely accused.
- publicly accuseThe minister publicly accused the company of lying to customers.
- wrongly accuseThe teacher apologized for wrongly accusing the boy of cheating.
- openly accuseLocal residents openly accused the factory of polluting the river.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
They accused him for cheating.Correct: They accused him of cheating.