Phrase guide

trial by media

noun · 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.

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Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt or innocence, often before, or after, a verdict in a court of law.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 輿論審判 /舆论审判 (yúlùn shěnpàn) — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • Chinese Mandarin: 媒體審判 /媒体审判 (méitǐ shěnpàn) — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • Finnish: median tuomio — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • French: procès médiatique — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • German: medienwirksamer Prozess — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • German: Medienprozess — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation
  • Spanish: juicio mediático — process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation