finger-pointing

noun

Definition of finger-pointingnext
as in accusation
the act of blaming someone for a problem instead of trying to fix or solve it Engaging in finger-pointing will not help us solve the problem. There was no shortage of finger-pointing among executives after the movie bombed at the box office.

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of finger-pointing Her finger-pointing confrontation with DeWanna Bonner became one of the memes of the year. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026 As is often the case when companies displease their customers en masse, there’s lots of finger-pointing. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 26 June 2026 There’s no integration project waiting on the other side of the purchase order, no multi-vendor finger-pointing when performance falls short. — David Noy, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 The two have clashed over outside spending on the race, with Wahls criticizing VoteVets spending on Turek's behalf and Turek finger-pointing at Wahls' past work with The Next 50, which promotes young Democratic candidates around the country. — Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register, 2 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
  1. accusation
  2. blame
  3. condemnation
  4. guilt
  5. censure
Noun
  • The accusations surfaced after the Coalition Opposing Governmental Secrecy (COGS) petitioned to have a court unseal the divorce records dating to 2012.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Høiby pleaded not guilty to the most severe accusations against him, including those of rape, while admitting to some lesser charges.
    — Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of accusation
Noun
  • In addition, the American people have to share part of the blame.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Amid a mayoral election, Bass shifted the blame to Raman before visiting the community and talking to neighbors.
    — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of blame
Noun
  • El-Sayed put distance between himself and Piker on Wednesday following intraparty condemnation of Piker’s comments on American Jews.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 27 Aug. 2026
  • If an agreement was not reached outside of court, the city filed for condemnation.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of condemnation
Noun
  • Ricky Anderson entered what is known as an Alford plea, acknowledging that prosecutors had enough evidence to support a conviction without admitting guilt.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Graf also reiterated that his ruling was not a definitive finding of guilt, which will have to be determined by a jury during a future trial.
    — Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of guilt
Noun
  • Edwards stood in the well of the House as the censure resolution was read.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud.
    — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of censure

Browse Nearby Words

finger paintings
finger-pointing
fingerprint
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Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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