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

Examples of witness tampering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss several of the most serious charges against him, including two counts of first-degree murder, one count of witness tampering, and directing the activities of a criminal gang. Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Bortlen, who was 20 at the time of his arrest, was released on bond in 2020, but he was returned to custody after being charged with witness tampering in October 2023. Matthew Strauss, Pitchfork, 9 Sep. 2025 The witness tampering charges came after Melly’s first trial in 2023 ended in a mistrial after jurors couldn’t reach a verdict. Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 9 Sep. 2025 Court records show Chapman has previous convictions, including for failure to pay child support and attempted witness tampering. Quinlan Bentley, Cincinnati Enquirer, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness tampering

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of witness tampering was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Witness tampering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness%20tampering. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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