Indictment - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

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SKIP TO CONTENT indictment /ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/ /ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/ IPA guide

Other forms: indictments

An indictment, or a legal document charging you with a crime, is something you don't want to be the recipient of, so try not to rob any banks or start any money laundering schemes, and you'll probably be okay.

An indictment is most frequently a charge of a serious crime. You may have heard on television legal programs the phrase "on the first count of the indictment," which means that there's more than one charge of a category of crime in the indictment. The word can also be used more informally to mean an accusation. A book or article detailing the wrongdoing of a person or industry may be said to be an indictment of that person or industry.

Definitions of indictment

noun an accusation of wrongdoing “the book is an indictment of modern philosophy” see moresee less type of: accusal, accusation a formal charge of wrongdoing brought against a person; the act of imputing blame or guilt
noun a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense synonyms: bill of indictment see moresee less types: murder charge, murder indictment an indictment charging someone with murder true bill an indictment endorsed by a grand jury type of: instrument, legal document, legal instrument, official document (law) a document that states some contractual relationship or grants some right

Pronunciation US /ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/ UK /ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/ Cite this entry Style: MLA

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Copy citation DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘indictment'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback Word Family

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