indict

verb

in·​dict in-ˈdīt How to pronounce indict (audio)
indicted; indicting; indicts

transitive verb

1
: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of law
2
: to charge with a fault or offense : criticize, accuse
indicter noun
or indictor

Examples of indict in a Sentence

A grand jury is expected to indict him for murder. the grand jury could indict the mayor for fraud and embezzlement
Recent Examples on the Web But House members mounted their own efforts to expel the freshman congressman after he was indicted in May. Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 Nov. 2023 Among the moves that have been floated if Trump gets a second term are using the Justice Department to go after his political rivals, the Times reported in November, including having enemies indicted. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 Superior Court as prosecutors announced that he had been indicted by a grand jury on 52 charges in the shooting, including first-degree murder while armed. Keith L. Alexander, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023 The complaint also states that Nir went to authorities in 2019 after years of therapy but Wakeford was never indicted. Liam Quinn, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023 Prior to his appointment as special counsel in August, Weiss did not have the authority to indict Hunter Biden outside his jurisdiction in Delaware. Sarah Bedford, Washington Examiner, 16 Nov. 2023 Advertisement Peggy McMartin Buckey, her son, Ray Buckey, and her mother, Virginia McMartin, were among seven at the preschool initially indicted on 115 counts of child molestation by Philibosian, the presiding district attorney during the infamous case. Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 15 Nov. 2023 In September, his former Department of Buildings commissioner, Eric Ulrich, was indicted on allegations of favor trading and bribery. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023 Being indicted on 91 criminal counts in four cases has, so far, only solidified his support. Adam Nagourney, New York Times, 16 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indict.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

alteration of earlier indite, from Middle English inditen, from Anglo-French enditer to write, point out, indict — more at indite

First Known Use

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of indict was in 1531

Dictionary Entries Near indict

Cite this Entry

“Indict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indict. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

indict

verb
in·​dict in-ˈdīt How to pronounce indict (audio)
: to charge with an offense or crime : accuse
indictable
-ə-bəl
adjective

Legal Definition

indict

transitive verb
in·​dict in-ˈdīt How to pronounce indict (audio)
: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a grand jury in due form of law compare accuse, arraign, charge
Etymology

alteration of earlier indite, from Anglo-French enditer, from Old French, to write down, ultimately from Latin indicere to proclaim, from in- toward + dicere to say

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