indict

verb

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

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
in-ˈdī-tər How to pronounce indict (audio)

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

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 pieces were associated with late art dealer Douglas Latchford, who was indicted in 2019 for trafficking and selling looted Cambodian antiquities to auction houses and museums around the world since the 1970s. —Koh Ewe, TIME, 21 May 2024 Eighteen people were indicted by a grand jury in April in connection with a plan for Arizona's Republican electors to pretend Trump won the state's popular vote. —Elena Santa Cruz, The Arizona Republic, 21 May 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

indicolite

indict

indictable

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Indict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indict. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

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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

More from Merriam-Webster on indict

Nglish: Translation of indict for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of indict for Arabic Speakers

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