noun / verb
charge
an accusation of wrongdoing or crime
The prosecutor charges the suspect with burglary.
Etymology
The older verb means to load. An accusation figuratively lays wrongdoing on a person, making that alleged offense a burden assigned to that person.
More examples
- He denied the charge against him.
- Several charges were dismissed before trial.
- She was charged with falsifying the records.
Forms
charge · charges · charged · charging
Similar words
- accusation
- Does not necessarily imply a formal legal allegation.
- allegation
- Can be an informal accusation rather than a formal criminal charge.