View synonyms for

press charges

[ pres chahr-jiz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

idiom

to bring a formal accusation against a person believed to have committed a crime (often used with against ):
The authorities plan to press charges against her for participating in civil disobedience last week.
He didn't want to press charges, but warned the guy who punched him not to cause any more problems.

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of press charges¹

First recorded in 1885–90

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The parents and wife of one of the people who died when the roof of a nightclub collapsed in the Dominican Republic last week have become the first to press charges against the club's owners.

From

Right-wing commentators and elected officials denounced the protest on X, including Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who said President Trump should press charges against the peaceful protestors.

From

Béatrice Zavarro, Dominique Pelicot's lawyer, told French media that Ms Darian's decision to press charges was "unsurprising given her statements and beliefs during the Avignon trial".

From

According to the report, the woman whose hair was pulled did not want to press charges against anyone.

From

Police said the man was detained before Raducanu decided not to press charges.

From

Related Words

prosecute

Pressburger press clipping

Browse