grave indictment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave indictment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious accusation or criticism against someone or something. Example: "The report served as a grave indictment of the government's handling of the crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The document offers a grave indictment of the conduct of the Vatican's ambassador, and will probably put pressure on Pope Francis to discipline him and Archbishop Nienstedt.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This is the third -- and probably the most grave -- indictment against Mr. Milosevic.

The New York Times

It conducts investigations by collecting evidence, identifying witnesses, exhuming mass graves, prepares indictments and presents prosecutions before the judges of the Tribunal.

The New York Times

Still, the short-term risks of seeking an indictment are grave, said Alex de Waal, a Sudan expert at the Social Science Research Council in New York.

The New York Times

Perhaps the indictment's gravest charge was that Lindh had advance knowledge of murderous assaults like those on New York and Washington.

The New Yorker

American judges ruled three times that they had no jurisdiction over the matter.In this section An indictment from the grave When less is more Grey skies in the Caribbean Justice or extortion?

The Economist

But for many, mainly middle-class Guatemalans, the case casts doubt on the credentials of Mr Colom, a businessman of the centre-left elected as president in 2007, as a crusader for good government and justice.In this section An indictment from the grave When less is more Grey skies in the Caribbean Justice or extortion?

The Economist

A Stop Tax Haven Abuse bill in the American Congress would assume that Americans who set up companies in tax havens are their owners and levy penalties on financial institutions that block tax enforcement.In this section An indictment from the grave When less is more Grey skies in the Caribbean Justice or extortion?

The Economist

In particular, he has taken advantage of reforms to the justice system made by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government in 2004 to get things moving a bit faster.In this section An indictment from the grave When less is more Grey skies in the Caribbean Justice or extortion?

The Economist

The Trial Chamber also found that there was sufficient evidence that Croatia had become a state by 8 October 1991 for the purposes of Rule 98 bis and that the conflict in Croatia was thus international during the time of the grave breaches counts in the Croatia Indictment (Prosecutor v. Milošević 16 June 2004, para. 115).

Journal of International Humanitarian Action

It is also the first time that it has sought an indictment for genocide, the gravest of all international crimes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave indictment", ensure the context clearly demonstrates the serious nature of the charges or criticisms being made. This phrase carries significant weight and should not be used lightly.

Common error

Avoid using "grave indictment" in situations where the accusation is minor or trivial. This phrase implies a high level of severity, and misusing it can diminish its impact when a truly serious matter arises.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave indictment" functions as a noun phrase that describes a serious accusation or formal charge. According to Ludwig AI, this expression is correct and usable in written English, indicating that it's a valid construction for conveying the weight of an accusation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave indictment" is a noun phrase used to describe a serious accusation or formal charge. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable expression, albeit infrequent in common parlance. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal register suitable for conveying the severity of a situation. Alternatives like "serious charge" or "damning accusation" offer similar connotations. When employing this phrase, ensure the context warrants its gravity. Although "grave indictment" is valid, overuse or misuse in trivial scenarios can diminish its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

damning accusation

Emphasizes the condemning nature of the accusation.

serious charge

Replaces "indictment" with a more general term for accusation, focusing on the gravity.

severe accusation

Substitutes "grave" with "severe" to emphasize the intensity of the accusation.

profound accusation

Emphasizes the depth and seriousness of the accusation.

weighty accusation

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the accusation.

major allegation

Uses a more common word for accusation, keeping the focus on the seriousness.

significant charge

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of the charge.

harsh criticism

Replaces legal term "indictment" with a general and simpler phrase indicating strong disapproval.

strong condemnation

Focuses on the act of condemning rather than the legal process.

critical assessment

Shifts from a legal context to a more general evaluation, highlighting the severity of the judgment.

FAQs

How can I use "grave indictment" in a sentence?

You can use "grave indictment" to describe a serious accusation or criticism, such as, "The report served as a "grave indictment" of the company's safety practices".

What's a less formal alternative to "grave indictment"?

For a less formal alternative, consider using phrases like "serious accusation" or "severe criticism". While they convey a similar meaning, they lack the formal and legal connotations of "grave indictment".

What words are similar to "grave" in the context of "grave indictment"?

In the context of "grave indictment", synonyms for "grave" could include "serious", "severe", or "critical", all of which emphasize the significant nature of the accusation.

Is "grave indictment" a common phrase?

"Grave indictment" is not a very common phrase but is used in formal writing, particularly in legal or journalistic contexts, to emphasize the seriousness of an accusation or criticism.