indictment

noun in·dict·ment \ in-ˈdīt-mənt \

|Updated on: 12 Aug 2018

Examples: indictment in a Sentence

Definition of indictment

1 a : the action or the legal process of indicting

b : the state of being indicted

2 : a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a jury (such as a grand jury) charging a person with an offense

3 : an expression of strong disapproval

an indictment of government policy on immigrants

See indictment defined for English-language learners

See indictment defined for kids

Examples of indictment in a Sentence

The grand jury has handed down indictments against several mobsters.
No one was surprised by her indictment.
She intended the film to be an indictment of the media.

Recent Examples of indictment from the Web

Links to Florida people and incidents, both named and unnamed, are sprinkled in Friday’s indictment of 12 Russian intelligence officers for hacking the Democratic Party and Hillary Clinton campaign in 2016.

— anthony man, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Notable Florida tentacles in latest Mueller indictments over Russian hacking of Democrats," 13 July 2018
This time, however, the special counsel’s indictment is somewhat toothless.

— matt ford, The New Republic, "Truth Without Consequences," 13 July 2018
Investigators found a trail of Capone's blood at the residence, the indictment states.

— dennis romero /, NBC News, "Hollywood actor maimed in kidnapping, ransom plot, indictment says," 4 July 2018
His warrants included violating probation for a theft charge, and not appearing at a pre-indictment hearing for a failure-to-stop charge.

— alex demarban, Anchorage Daily News, "Anchorage police catch suspect who they say fled after ramming SUV through garage wall," 3 July 2018
While the request did not mention specific court members, suspended Justice Allen Loughry pleaded not guilty in federal court last week to a 22-count indictment.

— john raby, The Seattle Times, "West Virginia gov OKs session to mull justice impeachment," 25 June 2018
Thursday’s indictment comes after Netanyah refused to settle, admit fault, or pay back the government money used.

— renae reints, Fortune, "Sara Netanyahu Charged with Fraud and Breach of Trust in 'Meals-Ordering Affair'," 21 June 2018
But by the summer of 2016, the case had become enormously politically charged, with GOP nominee-in-waiting Donald Trump repeatedly claiming the investigation would result in Clinton’s indictment.

— andrew prokop, Vox, "The long-awaited inspector general report on the FBI, Comey, Clinton, and 2016, explained," 14 June 2018
Without naming the state, Friday's indictment says the Russian intelligence officers stole information on about 500,000 voters from the website of one board of elections, a breach that went undetected for three weeks.

— CBS News, "Top state election officials meet amid security concerns," 14 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indictment.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of indictment

14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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indictment Synonyms

Synonyms

charge, complaint, count, rap;

Related Words

accusation, allegation, plea;

crimination;

counteraccusation, countercharge;

arraignment, impeachment;

implication, imputation, innuendo, insinuation;

censure, condemnation, denunciation;

incrimination, recrimination;

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

INDICTMENT Defined for English Language Learners

indictment

noun

Definition of indictment for English Language Learners

law : an official written statement charging a person with a crime
: the act of officially charging someone with a crime : the act of indicting someone
: an expression or statement of strong disapproval

Law Dictionary

indictment

noun in·dict·ment \ in-ˈdīt-mənt \

legal Definition of indictment

1 : the action or the legal process of indicting

2 a : a formal written statement framed by a prosecuting authority and found by a grand jury that charges a person or persons with an offense — compare complaint, information

b : bill of indictment at bill 3b