Indictment

/ɪnˈdaɪt.mənt/ · noun

Meaning

(law) An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury..

Definitions by Sense

1. (law) An official formal accusation for a criminal offence, or the process by which it is brought to a jury.
2. (law) The official legal document outlining the charges concerned; bill of indictment.
3. (countable, uncountable) An accusation of wrongdoing; a criticism or condemnation.
4. Evidence of failure or poor performance.

Example Sentences

But she accomplished the third task — the one that mattered most to her boss — securing a criminal indictment against Mr. Comey, the former F.B.I. director.

[…]— the indictment will remain sealed until his expected arraignment on Tuesday, when the charges will be formally revealed.

Can there be a greater indictment against patriotism than that it will thus brand a man a criminal, throw him into prison, and rob him of the results of fifteen years of faithful service?

I must say Humphrey, these facts are a frightening indictment of bureaucratic sloppiness and self-indulgence.

I have been critical of the RDG in the past for merely being a cypher for government announcements, but the failure of its members to make a stand on this issue and not be complicit in the Government's subterfuge is a shocking indictment of their failure to protect the industry.

an indictment of his ability to lead

an indictment of his game

a stinging indictment of our prison system

Synonyms for indictment

Antonyms for indictment

Related Words

Word Forms

• indictments
• endictment

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions