noun · formal
indictment
/ɪnˈdaɪtmənt/in·DITE·ment
an official charge or accusation that someone has committed a criminal offence
Examples
“The company received an indictment for environmental violations.”
“After months of inquiry, the grand jury returned an indictment.”
“Political scandals sometimes lead to indictments against senior officials.”
Band 8 sentence
“The grand jury's indictment formalised the allegations and marked the start of a complex criminal trial.”
Collocations
- file an indictment
- return an indictment
- indictment for
Word family
Common mistakes
use 'accuse' instead of 'indictment' (e.g. "the accuse")→indictment
say 'the indictment was made' instead of 'an indictment was filed'→an indictment was filed
Say it for a higher band
5charge→6formal charge→7+indictment
Synonyms
accusation
Easily confused
charge
“The prosecutor presented an indictment after determining there was enough evidence to bring charges.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Crime & Law
Learn it with its set