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 The probe suffered a setback earlier this year when one key Republican witness, Alexander Smirnov, was indicted for allegedly lying to investigators about the Biden family’s business dealings. Lawrence Andrea, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 In 2003, federal prosecutors indicted him and 16 other Detroit officers for civil rights violations, at the time one of the largest criminal cases to hit the department in years. Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024 Baldwin was indicted in January on a felony charge of involuntary manslaughter in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, and now faces up to 18 months in prison if convicted at trial in July. Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Mar. 2024 The House Oversight Committee, which is leading the impeachment inquiry, was dealt a setback last month when former FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, whose story was central to Republicans' bribery claims, was indicted and charged with lying about the Bidens' business dealings. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024 The Tango was seized by the FBI and Spanish authorities in the Mediterranean not long after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and Osipov was first indicted last year. Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 14 Mar. 2024 Talan Renner, 17, is one of three juveniles and four adults indicted by a grand jury last week on first- and second-degree murder and kidnapping charges in the fatal beating of Lord during an Oct. 28 Halloween party. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024 Amy Baker Harrison was indicted by a Stafford County grand jury on Monday for the first-degree murder of Jacqueline Lard, as well as abduction with the intent to defile, aggravated malicious wounding and breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder, according to the sheriff’s office. Amanda Jackson, CNN, 9 Mar. 2024 Never mind that Trump has never been indicted for, let alone convicted of insurrection. Larry Elder, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024

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 28 Mar. 2024.

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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