finger-pointing

noun

fin·​ger-point·​ing ˈfiŋ-gər-ˌpȯin-tiŋ How to pronounce finger-pointing (audio)
: the act of making explicit and often unfair accusations of blame

Examples of finger-pointing in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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What began as a formal meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy Friday — a confidence-building step in a path toward peace between Russia and Ukraine — devolved into a feud, with finger-pointing and accusations. Jennifer Jacobs, CBS News, 1 Mar. 2025 Such finger-pointing was common practice at the commission’s quarterly meeting in early February, where families, friends and supporters of people who have died in custody of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office asked the commission to deem the jail out of compliance with minimum standards. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Feb. 2025 After the tragic plane and Black Hawk helicopter crash over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump went full throttle into finger-pointing. Tom Zirpoli, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2025 There was also presidential finger-pointing Thursday about DEI policies at the FAA, questions about potential mistakes by the helicopter flight crew, and so on. Russell Lewis, NPR, 31 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of finger-pointing was in 1914

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Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finger-pointing. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.

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