indict

verb

in·​dict in-ˈdīt 

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

in-ˈdī-tər 

Synonyms

• accuse
• charge
• criminate
• defame [archaic]
• impeach
• incriminate

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

Trump was indicted on March 30, 2023, and the trial did not begin until April 15, 2024, a gap of more than one year. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 June 2024

Earlier this month, a grand jury indicted 37-year-old Ricky Raider on leaving the scene of an accident and a persistent felony charge, the Boone County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Friday. —Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 21 June 2024

Both were indicted on murder conspiracy charges in May 2023. —Aaron Navarro, CBS News, 21 June 2024

Scott was investigated for criminal conduct in that incident, but a grand jury declined to indict the Houston native. —Alana Wise, NPR, 20 June 2024

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

Video

Video: Why Is There a 'C' in 'Indict'?

And who put it there, anyway?

Kids Definition

indict

verb

in·​dict in-ˈdīt 

: to charge with an offense or crime : accuse

indictable

-ə-bəl

adjective

Legal Definition

indict

transitive verb

in·​dict in-ˈdīt 

: 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