verb
indict
in-DYTE/ɪnˈdaɪt/
To formally accuse someone of wrongdoing.
The grand jury indicts the mayor on several corruption charges.
Etymology
The ancestor enditer covered writing or composing as well as legal accusation. Indict preserves its specialized legal use for bringing a formal criminal charge.
In context
By January of 1996, Besheer and Pellegrino have gathered enough evidence against KSM to indict him on seven counts
More examples
- Prosecutors seek to indict the contractor for fraud.
- Two executives were indicted after investigators uncovered the scheme.
- Formally indicting a suspect does not establish that person's guilt.
Forms
indict · indicts · indicted · indicting
indictment noun — A formal charge accusing someone of wrongdoing.
indictable adjective — Subject to a formal criminal charge.