indictment
/ɪnˈdaɪt.mənt/
Group 32Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (noun)
- A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime; a thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad GRE
Example in Context
The report was a damning indictment of the agency's failure to protect the communities it was established to serve.
Synonyms
accusationchargecriticism
Etymology
From Latin 'indictare', meaning to declare not right, emphasizing formal charges.
- in- (Latin) — not
- dicere (Latin) — to say
Memory Aid
🎲Sounds like “in dice mint”
Imagine rolling DICE in a MINT, and they all show guilty faces — that’s an INDICTMENT!
Visual Association
⚖️A courtroom scene where dice are on trial, each with a guilty look, awaiting judgment.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “indictment” mean on the GRE?
indictment (noun) means “A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime; a thing that serves to illustrate that a system or situation is bad”. The report was a damning indictment of the agency's failure to protect the communities it was established to serve.
How to remember “indictment” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “indictment” sounds like “in dice mint”. Imagine rolling DICE in a MINT, and they all show guilty faces — that’s an INDICTMENT!
What are synonyms for “indictment”?
Common synonyms: accusation, charge, criticism.