indict

IPA/ɪnˈdaɪt/
KK[ˌɪndˈaɪt]IPA/ɪnˈdaɪt/

indict — verb

  • indictpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • indictshe / she / it
  • indictedpast simple
  • indicting-ing form

1. when a court or a specially chosen group of people (a grand jury) decides offici

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

when a court or a specially chosen group of people (a grand jury) decides officially that there is enough reason to put someone on trial for a serious crime, before the trial actually begins

例句

The grand jury voted to indict the former CEO for fraud involving company funds.

active: indict [person] for [crime]

Prosecutors decided not to indict Rohan because the evidence against him was too weak.

同義詞
  • charge

    less formal and broader in scope — police can charge someone, but only a grand jury can indict them

  • accuse

    general term that can be used in any context, not only legal ones; carries no implication of formal legal process

  • prosecute

    refers to the entire process of taking someone to court, not just the initial formal accusation

反義詞
  • acquit

    to find someone not guilty after a trial, the opposite outcome of a trial following indictment

  • exonerate

    to officially state that someone is not to blame for a crime, often after an investigation or appeal

文法句型

indict + person/organization + for + crime/noun phrase

indict + person/organization + on + charges/counts

be indicted (passive)

indict + person/organization + on charges of + crime

用法筆記

Almost always used in legal or news reporting contexts. The subject is usually a court, grand jury, or prosecutor. This verb frequently appears in the passive voice (be indicted). The word 'indict' is pronounced /ɪnˈdaɪt/ — the letter 'c' is silent.

常見錯誤

❌The judge indicted the man for robbery.
✅The grand jury indicted the man for robbery.
💡In the US legal system, a grand jury (not a judge) issues indictments.
❌My sister indicted me for eating her chocolate.
✅My sister accused me of eating her chocolate.
💡'Indict' is a formal legal term for crimes; use 'accuse' for everyday situations.
❌The court indicted him for stealing a pen.
✅The court indicted him for embezzling company funds.
💡'Indict' is reserved for serious crimes, not minor offenses.