26984 words

indictment

8 definitions • 12 examples
1
something that shows a policy, system, society, etc. is bad or wrong:

Examples:

damning indictment of It seems to me to be a damning indictment of the government's education policy.
sad indictment This blog is a sad indictment of our vacuous celebrity obsession.
2
a statement that criticizes someone or something strongly for being bad or wrong:

Examples:

searing indictment He made searing indictments of the Iraq war.
scathing indictment I can't remember the last time I read a more scathing indictment of marriage.
3
a formal statement of accusing someone of something:

Examples:

The charges on the indictment include murder and attempted murder.
The indictment alleges that she did no work for some of these payments.
4
the act of making a formal statement accusing someone of something:

Examples:

The indictment of an officer in connection with a police chase is extremely rare.
Some criminal cases are negotiated prior to indictment .
6
An indictment is also a reason for giving blame:

Examples:

The high level of adult illiteracy is seen as an indictment of the country’s education policy.
7
the act of formally accusing someone of a serious crime:

Examples:

under indictment for sth He's currently under indictment for embezzlement.
on indictment The defendent was tried on indictment.
8
a written statement that formally accuses someone of a crime:

Examples:

on an indictment She was held to appear for trial on two indictments.

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