Meaning & use
reindicted
Last updated
“reindicted” is a form of “reindict”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meaning
verbtransitivelegallaw
To formally charge someone with a crime again, especially after an earlier charge was dropped or changed.
Grammar: Takes an object: reindict someone. Often used in the passive: he was reindicted.
Patterns
- reindict someone
- reindict someone for something
- be reindicted on charges
The prosecutor decided to reindict the suspect after new evidence emerged.
He was reindicted on more serious charges last week.
The grand jury reindicted her after the first indictment was dismissed.
Word forms
| base form | reindict |
|---|---|
| third person singular | reindicts |
| past tense | reindicted |
| past participle | reindicted |
| -ing form | reindicting |
Common combinations
- reindict someone on charges
- The grand jury reindicted him on fraud charges.
- reindict for a crime
- She was reindicted for theft after the appeal.
- be reindicted
- The businessman was reindicted after the investigation reopened.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- indict verb
- To formally charge someone with a serious crime.
- indictment noun
- A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime.
- reindictment noun
- The act of indicting someone again.
Commonly confused: reindicted or indict? reindicted or convict?
reindicted vs indict
Indict is the first formal charge; reindict is a second or later charge, often after the first was dismissed.
reindicted vs convict
Convict means to find someone guilty in court; indict means to formally accuse, and reindict means to accuse again.
Practice
After the first trial ended without a verdict, the district attorney decided to ______ the defendant on the same charges.
Choose one answer.
Reindict fits because the defendant had already been indicted and now is being charged again. Indict would suggest it is the first charge. Convict means to find guilty, and acquit means to declare not guilty.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reindicted”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.