obstructing justice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "obstructing justice" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means intentionally hindering or impeding the legal process and can be used in a sentence to describe someone's actions or behavior. Example: The prosecutor argued that the defendant's actions of hiding evidence and refusing to cooperate with the investigation were clear attempts at obstructing justice.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

obstructing justice..

The New York Times

Opinion|Trump Can't Help Obstructing Justice.

The New York Times

It said he was also suspected of obstructing justice.

The New York Times

Ms. McClellan faces a felony charge of obstructing justice.

The New York Times

Who Will Stop Him? Trump Can't Help Obstructing Justice.

The New York Times

Drake is also charged with obstructing justice and lying to federal law-enforcement agents.

The New Yorker

The search for the smoking gun can sometimes end up obstructing justice.

The Economist

For this recalcitrance, Mr Starr prosecuted Mrs McDougal for obstructing justice and contempt of court.

The Economist

Carolyn Kaufman, 72, the president of Prim's advisory services component, was charged with obstructing justice.

The New York Times - Sports

She faces possible criminal charges of conspiracy in phone hacking, paying public officials, and obstructing justice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His father is charged with conspiring to obstruct justice and obstructing justice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about legal matters, use "obstructing justice" to specifically denote actions that interfere with the judicial process, such as hiding evidence or intimidating witnesses.

Common error

Avoid using "obstructing justice" as a catch-all term for any crime. It specifically refers to actions that directly interfere with the legal process after a crime has been committed or during an investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "obstructing justice" functions as a noun phrase typically used as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of hindering or impeding the legal and judicial processes. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "obstructing justice" is a common and grammatically correct term that describes actions interfering with the legal process. As Ludwig AI explains, it is frequently found in news reports and legal discussions. Its neutral register and clear definition make it suitable for formal writing, while related phrases like "hampering justice" or "hindering justice" can offer subtle variations in meaning. Remember to use "obstructing justice" specifically for actions that directly impede legal proceedings, avoiding its misuse as a general term for any crime. Finally, please note that the phrase appeared mainly on "News & Media" and "Encyclopedias".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hampering justice

Focuses on impeding or slowing down the process of justice.

Blocking justice

Emphasizes a complete stoppage or prevention of justice.

Hindering justice

Similar to hampering, but with a stronger sense of actively making it difficult.

Impeding justice

Highlights the act of obstructing progress towards a fair legal outcome.

Perverting the course of justice

A more formal and legalistic way of saying obstructing justice, suggesting a distortion of the legal process.

Defeating justice

Focuses on the outcome of successfully preventing justice from being served.

Interfering with legal proceedings

Describes a broader range of actions that disrupt the legal process.

Thwarting the judicial process

Implies actively preventing the legal system from functioning as intended.

Obstructing a criminal investigation

Specific to actions that hinder an investigation by law enforcement.

Tampering with evidence

Focuses on altering or concealing evidence to impede a legal case.

FAQs

What does "obstructing justice" legally entail?

Legally, "obstructing justice" involves actions like tampering with evidence, intimidating witnesses, or lying to investigators with the intent to hinder or impede a legal investigation or court proceeding.

How can I use "obstructing justice" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "The defendant was charged with "obstructing justice" after he destroyed key documents related to the case."

What's the difference between ""obstructing justice"" and "interfering with police"?

"Obstructing justice" typically refers to actions that impede the judicial process after an investigation has begun, while "interfering with police" involves actions that hinder law enforcement during an active investigation or arrest.

Are there synonyms for "obstructing justice" that I can use in my writing?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "hampering justice", "hindering justice", or "impeding justice" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.