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Accusation vs Complaint - What's the difference?

accusation | complaint |

In lang=en terms the difference between accusation and complaint

is that accusation is a formal charge brought against a person in a court of law while complaint is in criminal law, the preliminary charge or accusation made by one person against another to the appropriate court or officer, usually a magistrate.
However, court proceedings, such as a trial, cannot be instituted until an indictment or information has been handed down against the defendant.

As nouns the difference between accusation and complaint

is that accusation is the act of accusing while complaint is a grievance, problem, difficulty, or concern; the act of complaining.

accusation

English

Alternative forms

* (obsolete) accusasiowne * (obsolete) accusacion

Noun

(en noun)
  • The act of accusing.
  • *
  • (legal) A formal charge brought against a person in a court of law.
    • [They] set up over his head his accusation - Matthew 27:37
  • An allegation.

    • Synonyms

    * impeachment * crimination * censure * charge

    Anagrams

    * ----

    complaint

    English

    (wikipedia complaint)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A grievance, problem, difficulty, or concern; the act of complaining.
    • I have no complaints about the quality of his work, but I don't enjoy his company.
  • (legal) In a civil action, the first pleading of the plaintiff setting out the facts on which the claim is based;
    The purpose is to give notice to the adversary of the nature and basis of the claim asserted.
  • (legal) In criminal law, the preliminary charge or accusation made by one person against another to the appropriate court or officer, usually a magistrate.
    However, court proceedings, such as a trial, cannot be instituted until an indictment or information has been handed down against the defendant.
  • A consumer complaint.
  • A bodily disorder or disease; the symptom of such a disorder.
    • Don't come too close, I've got this nasty complaint .

    Anagrams

    *