indictable
Americanadjective
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liable to being indicted, as a person.
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making a person liable to indictment, as an offense.
adjective
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(of a person) liable to be indicted
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(of a crime) that makes a person liable to be indicted
Usage
What does indictable mean? Indictable is an adjective used to describe a crime for which someone can be or is likely to be indicted—officially charged in a way that makes them subject to a criminal trial. It’s especially used in the phrase indictable offense, referring to a serious crime. Indictable can also be used to describe a person who has committed such a crime (or has been suspected of committing it). Indicting a suspect is the final step in the evidence-gathering process before a person is put on trial for a serious crime, especially a felony. The official announcement of this accusation is called an indictment. In the U. S., such indictments are presented by a grand jury—the group of people responsible for determining whether there is enough evidence of a crime for a suspect to be put on trial. Indict can also be used in a more general way, outside of a legal context, to mean to accuse or strongly criticize, or to reveal something as being deserving of criticism. The term unindictable is especially used in this sense to describe someone or their behavior as unable to be criticized due to being completely free of wrongdoing. Example: If this turns out to be true, it’s an indictable offense, and I expect the case to go to trial.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indictable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Under English and Welsh law, a citizen's arrest can only be used for an "indictable" offence - a serious crime tried at the Crown Court.
From BBC ● Jun. 14, 2025
Houston, 69, was the Sydney-based church’s senior global pastor when police charged him two years ago with concealing a serious indictable offense.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 16, 2023
It's too obvious, too vulgar, and—- more to the point—- too indictable.
From Salon ● Jun. 30, 2023
“Can say as a prosecutor this would be an indictable case etc.”
From Reuters ● May 22, 2023
At the same time, in 1850, when the Fugitive Slave Law was passed, in nearly all of the Western States, there was a law by which the virtues of pity and hospitality became indictable offences.
From The Works of Robert G. Ingersoll, Vol. 8 (of 12) Dresden Edition?Political by Robert Green Ingersoll
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