arraign

IPA/əˈreɪn/
KK[ɚˈen]IPA/əˈreɪn/

arraign — verb

  • arraignpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • arraignshe / she / it
  • arraignedpast simple
  • arraigning-ing form

1. To have someone appear before a judge who reads the official accusations against

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

To have someone appear before a judge who reads the official accusations against them and requests a formal response of guilt or innocence.

例句

Apinya was arraigned on three counts of fraud at the city court yesterday.

passive: be arraigned on + count of + crime

The prosecutor requested no bail when Bao was arraigned for armed robbery.

passive: be arraigned for + crime

同義詞
  • indict

    more specific — means a grand jury formally issues written charges (an indictment); arraign is the court appearance after an indictment

  • charge

    broader — can happen at any stage; does not imply a court hearing

反義詞
  • acquit

    to declare someone not guilty after trial

文法句型

be arraigned + on + charge/count

be arraigned + for + crime

court/authority + arraign + defendant

用法筆記

Typically appears in the passive voice (be arraigned). The active form (the court arraigns someone) also occurs but is less frequent. Arraign is a court proceeding — the police charge a suspect, but only a court can arraign them.

常見錯誤

❌The police arraigned the suspect at the station.
✅The police charged the suspect at the station.
💡Arraign happens in court before a judge, not at a police station.

2. To publicly express strong criticism of someone for a fault, failure, or inadequ

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

To publicly express strong criticism of someone for a fault, failure, or inadequacy — for example, a politician arraigned in the media for mishandling a crisis.

例句

Human rights advocates arraigned the committee for failing to address racial inequality in schools.

active: arraign + someone + for + failing/neglecting

Lakshmi's editorial arraigned the city council for ignoring the housing crisis.

active: arraign + institution + for + something

同義詞
  • denounce

    strong moral condemnation, often in public; less tied to a formal legal metaphor

  • castigate

    even harsher, implies verbal punishment; more forceful than arraign

反義詞
  • praise

    to express approval or admiration

文法句型

arraign + someone + for + something

arraign + someone + as + noun/adjective

用法筆記

Figurative extension of the legal sense. This meaning is much rarer and appears almost exclusively in formal writing or speeches. Unlike sense 1, it is not used in actual legal contexts.

常見錯誤

❌My boss arraigned me for being five minutes late.
✅My boss criticized me for being five minutes late.
💡Arraign is too strong and formal for minor faults; reserve it for serious public accusations.