indictment

noun

in·dict·ment | \ in-ˈdīt-mənt

Definition of indictment

1 : 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

2a : the action or the legal process of indicting

b : the state of being indicted

3 : an expression of strong disapproval an indictment of government policy on immigrants

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Synonyms for indictment

Synonyms

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 on the Web The indictment against Rodriguez was returned last week and unsealed Wednesday, officials said. — NBC News, "California man charged with attacking officer with stun weapon in Capitol riot," 2 Apr. 2021 The indictment against Hale stated that many of the classified documents were disclosed in an October 2015 news article. — Jerry Dunleavy, Washington Examiner, "Former intel analyst pleads guilty to leaking about drone program," 31 Mar. 2021 This is the second high-profile indictment against Texas law enforcers in March for Garza’s office, which also secured first-degree murder charges against an Austin police officer in the 2020 shooting death of Michael Ramos. — Washington Post, "Former Texas deputies indicted on manslaughter charges in Javier Ambler’s death," 30 Mar. 2021 Last June, federal prosecutors secured an indictment against Greenberg, accusing him of stalking a political rival. — BostonGlobe.com, "Matt Gaetz is said to face Justice Dept. inquiry over sex with an underage girl," 30 Mar. 2021 Last June, federal prosecutors secured an indictment against Mr. Greenberg, accusing him of stalking a political rival. — New York Times, "Matt Gaetz Is Said to Face Justice Dept. Inquiry Over Sex With an Underage Girl," 30 Mar. 2021 That fall, a Multnomah County grand jury returned a 25-count indictment against Llewelyn. — oregonlive, "‘I lost. Nothing I thought was going to happen happened.’," 17 Mar. 2021 Raz, 35, an Israeli couples counselor who helped women in abusive relationships, got into an argument with her husband, Amir, on Feb. 5, according to the police indictment against her husband. — Yardena Schwartz, sun-sentinel.com, "Israeli woman’s murder sparks national reckoning against domestic violence," 16 Mar. 2021 Alabama Attorney Steve Marshall on Thursday announced the two-count indictment against Leroy Davie Upshaw, who was initially arrested on the state charges in September 2020. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "Ex-Alabama sheriff indicted on charges he wrote $85K in checks to self, family from sheriff funds," 11 Mar. 2021

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.

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Last Updated

6 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Indictment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indictment. Accessed 17 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for indictment

indictment

noun

English Language Learners Definition of indictment

: 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

See the full definition for indictment in the English Language Learners Dictionary

indictment

noun

in·dict·ment | \ in-ˈdīt-mənt

Legal Definition of indictment

1 : the action or the legal process of indicting

2a : 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

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