defendant

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "defendant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the legal context to refer to the person against whom a lawsuit or criminal charge has been brought. For example, "The defendant is accused of tax fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The defendant committed himself to al-Qaida's conspiracy to kill Americans, and he worked to drive other people to that conspiracy".

The Guardian

Prosecutors say that messages posted by Harris – who goes by the twitter handle @destructuremal – could show whether the defendant was aware that he was breaking police orders relating to the demo.

The Guardian

She said the defendant was a loving and caring man who had suffered a "clear mental disturbance".

The Guardian

The indictment alleges: "Soon after receiving these wire transfers, the defendant Jack Warner caused a substantial portion of the funds to be diverted for his personal use," which included laundering the money through intermediaries.

The Guardian - Sport

Takkas is said to have been paid by instalments into various accounts, including in the Cayman Islands, intended it is alleged, "to conceal the fact the defendant Jeffrey Webb was the beneficiary of the payment".

The Guardian - Sport

The defendant wept in the dock as extracts from the call she made from her mobile phone during her final visit to Paterson were played in court.

The Guardian

For example, the defence may concede a case when prosecutors present a DNA fingerprint that links the defendant to a crime, negating the need for further tests.

The Guardian

A second defendant, Zoheb Majid, 20, was jailed for 10 years for her manslaughter.

The Guardian

In fact, powers to confiscate additional proceeds of crime, beyond those for which a defendant is convicted, did not become available to the SFO until after the date of the offences for which Nadir was found guilty.

The Guardian - Business

This week's decision means he no longer has parliamentary immunity: he could be thrown in jail in relation to any of the four trials and investigations in which he is still either a defendant or a suspect.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It is clear that the defendant suffers from and shows genuine remorse," he said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal proceedings, ensure you use "defendant" consistently to maintain clarity and avoid confusion with other parties involved, such as the plaintiff or the prosecution.

Common error

Avoid using "defendant" and "plaintiff" interchangeably. The "defendant" is the party being accused or sued, while the plaintiff is the party initiating the legal action.

Linguistic Context

The word "defendant" functions primarily as a noun, designating the individual or entity against whom legal action is taken. Ludwig examples show its use in describing roles within legal proceedings. It is considered grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "defendant" is a crucial noun in legal contexts, referring to the party against whom a lawsuit or criminal charge is brought. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used. As showcased by Ludwig's examples, "defendant" frequently appears in news reports and legal documents, maintaining a neutral register. While alternatives like "accused" or "respondent" exist, using "defendant" consistently ensures clarity in legal discussions. Avoiding confusion with terms like "plaintiff" is essential for accurate writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the accused

Replaces "defendant" with a more general term for someone facing charges.

the respondent

Specifically used in civil cases as an alternative to "defendant".

the suspect

Refers to someone suspected of a crime, often before formal charges are filed.

the indicted party

Highlights that the individual has been formally charged by a grand jury.

the alleged offender

Emphasizes that the individual's guilt has not yet been proven.

the litigant

A party involved in a lawsuit, which can be the defendant.

the party being sued

Focuses on the civil aspect of the legal action against the individual.

the person on trial

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the legal process involving the individual.

the subject of the lawsuit

Highlights the individual's central role in the legal proceedings.

the target of the prosecution

Focuses on the prosecution's efforts against the individual.

FAQs

How to use "defendant" in a sentence?

The term "defendant" refers to the party being sued or accused in a legal case. For example, "The "defendant" pleaded not guilty to all charges".

What's the difference between "defendant" and "plaintiff"?

The "defendant" is the individual or entity against whom a claim or charge is brought in a court. The plaintiff, on the other hand, is the party who initiates the lawsuit. So, in essence, they are on opposite sides of a legal battle.

What can I say instead of "defendant"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "accused", "respondent" (especially in civil cases), or "suspect" (before formal charges are filed).

Is it correct to use "defendant" before a trial has started?

Yes, it is generally acceptable to use "defendant" once formal charges have been filed or a lawsuit has been initiated. Before that, terms like "suspect" or "person of interest" might be more appropriate.