finger-pointing

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 Agreed, but this bill substitutes the long, painstaking and complex work of fixing California’s troubled insurance market with finger-pointing and posturing. Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Apr. 2026 The succession of events that followed — full of paranoia and finger-pointing — has consumed the American right. Ben Smith, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026 Advertisement Success requires shared accountability When autonomous systems fail, responsibility cannot be unclear or allow endless finger-pointing. Laura Kavanagh, Time, 27 Mar. 2026 The party has faced a reckoning since its disappointing defeat in the 2024 presidential election, triggering internal conflict and constant finger-pointing. Jake Angelo, Fortune, 9 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for finger-pointing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for finger-pointing
Noun
  • The dispute began after Indiana’s death in 2018 at 89 and centered around accusations of elder abuse, forgery, and copyright infringement.
    Devorah Lauter, ARTnews.com, 27 Apr. 2026
  • Trump refuted those accusations in a heated interview with 60 Minutes host Norah O’Donnell on Sunday.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • On Sunday, Juan Soto said the blame falls on the players — not on Mendoza or president of baseball operations David Stearns — after the Mets fell to 9-19, tied for the worst record in baseball.
    Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 27 Apr. 2026
  • But the players should take their fair share of the blame, too.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • News of the troop withdrawal drew swift condemnation from Democrats in Congress and members of a hawkish Washington think tank.
    Ben Finley, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2026
  • Kneecap’s exploits, meanwhile, have sparked condemnation from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and saw member Mo Chara hauled in front of a judge on terrorism charges (a case that has since been thrown out of court).
    Dean Van Nguyen, Pitchfork, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Family separations cause grief, confusion, attachment disruption and guilt for children, often leading to lifelong emotional and psychological suffering.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026
  • In September 2011, Rapo was sentenced to 4 ½ years in prison after previously pleading no contest — which cannot be used as evidence of guilt in a civil matter — to second-degree manslaughter.
    Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The censure appears to be the first in recent memory at Judson ISD.
    Noah Alcala Bach, San Antonio Express-News, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Potential punishments included a reprimand or a censure, which serve as forms of public rebuke.
    Kevin Freking, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Finger-pointing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/finger-pointing. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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