Phrase guide

press charges

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To formally accuse a person of a crime, especially by an ordinary person.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • I'm pressing charges against you for assaulting me.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Azerbaijani: ittiham irəli sürmək — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Czech: vznést obvinění — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Czech: podat žalobu — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Czech: zahájit soudní řízení — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Dutch: aanklagen — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Dutch: vervolgen — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • French: accuser — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • French: porter plainte — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Hungarian: feljelent — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Hungarian: eljárást indít — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Hungarian: vádat emel — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Polish: wnieść oskarżenie — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Thai: แจ้งความ (jɛ̂ɛng-kwaam) — to formally accuse a person of a crime
  • Thai: ดําเนินคดี (dam-nəən-ká-dii) — to formally accuse a person of a crime