What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prosecuted
Example
The suspect was prosecuted for theft. [prosecuted: verb]
Example
The prosecutor decided to prosecute the defendant for fraud. [prosecute: verb]
indict
Example
The grand jury decided to indict the suspect for murder. [indict: verb]
Example
The prosecutor plans to indict the suspect for embezzlement. [indict: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Prosecuted is more commonly used than indict in everyday language, as it is a more general term that covers a wider range of legal cases.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between prosecuted and indict?
Indict is a more formal and technical term than prosecuted, as it is specific to the legal system and involves a grand jury. Prosecuted can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
