What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indicted
Example
The defendant was indicted on charges of embezzlement. [indicted: past tense verb]
Example
The indictment accused the defendant of multiple counts of fraud. [indictment: noun]
accuse
Example
The police accused the suspect of stealing the jewelry. [accused: past tense verb]
Example
The victim made an accusation of assault against the perpetrator. [accusation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Accuse is more commonly used than indicted in everyday language, as it is a more versatile term that can be used in a variety of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between indicted and accuse?
Indicted is a more formal term than accuse, and is typically used in legal contexts or formal writing.