If you say that one thing is anindictmentof another thing, you mean that it shows how bad the other thing is.
It's a sad indictment of society that police officers are regarded as easy targetsby thugs. [+ of]
2. variable noun
An indictment is a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime.
[mainly US, law]
Prosecutors may soon seek an indictment on racketeering and fraud charges. [+ on]
The government's indictment against the three men alleged unlawful trading.
[Also + against]
Synonyms: charge, allegation, prosecution, accusation More Synonyms of indictment
indictment in British English
(ɪnˈdaɪtmənt)
noun criminal law
1.
a formal written charge of crime formerly referred to and presented on oath by a grand jury
2.
any formal accusation of crime
3. Scottish
a charge of crime brought at the instance of the Lord Advocate
4.
the act of indicting or the state of being indicted
indictment in American English
(ɪnˈdaɪtmənt)
noun
1.
an indicting or being indicted
2.
a charge; accusation; specif. a formal written accusation charging one or more personswith the commission of a crime, presented by a grand jury to the court when the jury has found, after examining the evidence presented, that there is a valid case
Word origin
ME & Anglo-Fr enditement
Examples of 'indictment' in a sentence
indictment
It is a sad indictment of the age in which we live.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
A terrible indictment of the sporting ability of today's youth.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The failure to overcome the chasm in skills is an indictment against any government committed to fairness.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The failure of parts of the press to provide that is a terrible indictment.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
If captured he will now face an international indictment for war crimes.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
This is not an indictment of our society.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
What a sad indictment of the mess we are in.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
That youngsters want to attend such parties is a terrible indictment of our nation.
John Harris THE LAST PARTY: Britpop, Blair and the demise of English rock (2003)
What a sad indictment of our times.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It would be a sad indictment of society were your book to sell in huge numbers.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
It is a sad indictment of failed policies that it seems such a big ask.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
It is a sad indictment of society.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
It is a terrible indictment on those in charge that this poor man and his family suffered so much for so long.
The Sun (2011)
It's a real indictment of the formal childcare system.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The worst outcome would be a second crime; an indictment and conviction not soundly based.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Terrible indictment of modern popular culture, blah blah blah.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What a sad indictment of modern Britain.
The Sun (2006)
It is a terrible indictment of the sport, but it is true.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
But they are also an indictment of a government which has no clear idea how to get British forces home without further heavy loss of life.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Word lists with
indictment
Criminal law terms
In other languages
indictment
British English: indictment NOUN
If you say that one thing is an indictment of another thing, you mean that it shows how bad the other thing is.
It's a sad indictment of society that policemen are regarded as easy targets by thugs.
American English: indictment
Brazilian Portuguese: acusação
Chinese: 控诉
European Spanish: acusación
French: mise en cause
German: Anklage
Italian: messa sotto accusa
Japanese: 非難
Korean: 고발
European Portuguese: acusação
Latin American Spanish: acusación
Chinese translation of 'indictment'
indictment
(ɪnˈdaɪtmənt)
n
(c) (= condemnation) 谴(譴)责(責) (qiǎnzé)
(c/u) (esp US, Law) 起诉(訴) (qǐsù)
(noun)
Definition
a formal charge of crime, esp. in writing
Prosecutors may soon seek an indictment on fraud charges.
Synonyms
charge
They appeared at court to deny charges of murder.
allegation
The company has denied the allegations.
prosecution
accusation
people who have made public accusations of wrongdoing
impeachment
Unconstitutional actions would be grounds for impeachment.
summons
She had received a summons to appear in court.
arraignment
The men are scheduled for arraignment on October 5th.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of accusation
Definition
a formal charge brought against a person
people who have made public accusations of wrongdoing
Synonyms
charge,
complaint,
allegation,
indictment,
impeachment,
recrimination,
citation,
denunciation,
attribution,
imputation,
arraignment,
incrimination
in the sense of allegation
Definition
an unproved assertion or accusation
The company has denied the allegations.
Synonyms
claim,
charge,
statement,
profession,
declaration,
plea,
accusation,
assertion,
affirmation,
deposition,
avowal,
asseveration (formal),
averment
in the sense of arraignment
The men are scheduled for arraignment on October 5th.