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
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.
Stone was convicted in 2019 of seven felony charges in relation to the 2016 Russia probe, including obstructing a congressional investigation, making false statements and witness tampering. Jonathan Limehouse, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Witness tampering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness%20tampering. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster