witness tampering
noun
law
: the act of physically harming or using threats, intimidation, harassment, or corrupt persuasion against a witness with the goal of influencing the witness's testimony or preventing the witness from providing evidence in an official proceeding
…12 jurors are considering whether to put him in prison for the rest of his life on charges that include racketeering, extortion, bribery, mail fraud and witness tampering.—
Karen Tumulty
Karen TumultyExamples of witness tampering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This investigation resulted in no witness tampering charges being filed against Read and no indictment by a grand jury, according to multiple sources.
—Kristina Rex, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors charged Tyshawn Palmer, 32, and Hassan Brown, 34, with witness tampering and witness retaliation in connection with Williams’ trial.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
It has been used in cases ranging from church arsons and antisemitic intimidation to political conspiracy and witness tampering.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Broward prosecutors dropped witness tampering charges against Jamell YNW Melly Demons, the former rapper accused of the 2018 murders of two childhood friends and fellow artists after a late-night recording session in Fort Lauderdale.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for witness tampering
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.
Kristina Rex, CBS News, 19 Feb. 2026
Prosecutors charged Tyshawn Palmer, 32, and Hassan Brown, 34, with witness tampering and witness retaliation in connection with Williams’ trial.
—Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
It has been used in cases ranging from church arsons and antisemitic intimidation to political conspiracy and witness tampering.
—Josh Funk, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Broward prosecutors dropped witness tampering charges against Jamell YNW Melly Demons, the former rapper accused of the 2018 murders of two childhood friends and fellow artists after a late-night recording session in Fort Lauderdale.
—Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 20 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for witness tampering
Cite this Entry
“Witness tampering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness%20tampering. Accessed 27 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
