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 Sue Mi Terry, a former Central Intelligence Agency and White House official, was indicted Tuesday for allegedly providing South Korean intelligence officers access, information and advocacy in return for luxury goods and funding. Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 17 July 2024 Separately, Alexander Smirnov — an FBI informant who Weiss indicted as part of the Biden probe — filed a motion late Monday that cited Cannon’s decision and said the case against him in California should be dismissed because of the unlawful appointment and funding of Weiss. Perry Stein, Washington Post, 16 July 2024 He was indicted in Brooklyn Federal Court of conspiracy to solicit violent felonies, distributing bomb-making instructions and other offenses, prosecutors announced Tuesday. John Annese, New York Daily News, 16 July 2024 Bobb was indicted in April by an Arizona grand jury in her role in the fake electors scheme and has pleaded not guilty. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 16 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for indict 

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 23 Jul. 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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