the accused
noun
: the person(s) charged with a crime
The accused was found not guilty.
All of he accused were found not guilty.
Examples of the accused in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The criminal court is France’s highest level of court reserved for crimes carrying sentences of more than five years, if the accused is found guilty.
—
Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
If someone, such as a university, is breaking the law, the rule of law is that the accused is charged, then tried by the courts, then if the accused is convicted, the court imposes a sentence according to the law violated.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
All of the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
—Gerardo Lemos, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
None of the accused have entered formal pleas.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the accused
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Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2025
If someone, such as a university, is breaking the law, the rule of law is that the accused is charged, then tried by the courts, then if the accused is convicted, the court imposes a sentence according to the law violated.
—Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
All of the accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
—Gerardo Lemos, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2025
None of the accused have entered formal pleas.
—Christina Coulter, People.com, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the accused
Cite this Entry
“The accused.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20accused. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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