What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
impeach
Example
The House of Representatives voted to impeach the President for his alleged involvement in the scandal. [impeach: verb]
Example
The defense lawyer tried to impeach the witness's testimony by pointing out inconsistencies. [impeach: verb]
Example
The new evidence could impeach the validity of the previous ruling. [impeach: verb]
indict
Example
The grand jury decided to indict the suspect on charges of embezzlement. [indict: verb]
Example
The prosecutor plans to indict the defendant for murder. [indict: verb]
Example
The indictment was handed down by the grand jury after reviewing the evidence. [indictment: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Indict is more commonly used than impeach in everyday language, as it applies to a broader range of situations and is not limited to public officials.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between impeach and indict?
Indict is generally considered more formal than impeach, as it is a legal term that is used in official proceedings and documents.