indict
B2Formal, Legal
Definition
Meaning
To formally charge someone with a serious crime, typically by a grand jury.
To accuse someone formally of a crime or, more generally, to criticize or censure severely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In its core legal sense, it implies a formal, official accusation that initiates a criminal trial. The general sense of 'accuse' or 'censure' is less common and more literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The process and terminology of 'indictment' are central to the US legal system (especially for federal crimes). In the UK, while the term is used, many serious crimes proceed by 'charge' without a grand jury indictment.
Connotations
In the US, strongly associated with the constitutional right to a grand jury for serious crimes. In the UK, carries a slightly more archaic or specific legal formality.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English due to the prominence of the grand jury system.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
INDICT someone (for something)BE INDICTED on charges/counts of somethingVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A society that indicts itself (literary)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Only in context of white-collar crime (e.g., 'The CEO was indicted for fraud').
Academic
Used in legal studies, political science, and historical analysis of judicial processes.
Everyday
Uncommon. Mostly encountered in news reports about serious crime.
Technical
Core term in legal profession, especially in jurisdictions using grand juries.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Crown Prosecution Service decided to indict him on three counts of manslaughter.
- Can they indict a sitting MP for such an offence?
American English
- The grand jury voted to indict the former governor on corruption charges.
- He was indicted for tax evasion last Thursday.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The indictable offence required a preliminary hearing.
- Murder is an indictable-only crime.
American English
- The indictment process revealed new evidence.
- An indictable offense is one for which you can be indicted by a grand jury.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The news said a bad man was indicted.
- The police arrested him, and later a court indicted him for robbery.
- If the evidence is strong enough, the prosecutor will seek to indict the suspect.
- The special counsel's ability to indict a sitting president remains a contentious constitutional issue.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'IN' (formally) + 'DICT' (to say, as in 'dictate') = to formally say/speak charges against someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE LAW IS A STORYTELLER (the indictment 'narrates' the alleged crime).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'indicate' (ука́зывать).
- The Russian legal term 'предъявить обвинение' is a close functional equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing it as 'in-DIKT' (it's 'in-DITE').
- Using it for minor accusations.
- Confusing spelling with 'indite' (archaic for 'write').
Practice
Quiz
In which legal system is the verb 'indict' MOST commonly and procedurally central?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It comes from Anglo-French 'enditer', related to 'indite', and the 'c' has been silent since Middle English. The spelling with 'c' was influenced by Latin 'indictare'.
A 'charge' is a formal accusation made directly by a prosecutor. An 'indictment' is a formal accusation issued by a grand jury, confirming there is enough evidence for a trial. Not all legal systems use indictments.
Yes, both individuals and corporate entities (like companies) can be indicted for criminal offences.
Typically, yes. In the US, indictments are for felonies and other serious crimes. Misdemeanours are usually charged via a prosecutor's information.