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 Young Thug is standing trial with five other defendants who were indicted alongside him. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 12 June 2024 Also indicted were Nikki Jordan, 48, of Fort Worth, on trafficking and compelling prostitution charges and Anna Hudson, 42, of Mabank, on a trafficking charge. Nicole Lopez, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 June 2024 Jose Uribe, a New Jersey insurance broker who was indicted with Menendez, pleaded guilty in March and confessed to buying a $60,000 luxury car to influence the senator. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 7 June 2024 Hoffman, a Republican from Queen Creek, and 17 others were indicted by a grand jury in April in connection with a plan for Arizona's Republican electors to falsely proclaim Donald Trump won the state in 2020. Stacey Barchenger, The Arizona Republic, 6 June 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 27 Jun. 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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