on trial
idiom
: in a situation in which evidence against one is presented in a court to a judge and often a jury to decide if one is guilty of a crime
on trial for murder
She went on trial for possession of drugs.
—sometimes used figuratively to indicate that people will think about something in a critical wayThe controversial case has put the entire health care system on trial.
Examples of on trial in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Joanne Bedford and Mark Twigg are on trial for charges of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of their son, Daniel, according to Greater Manchester Police.
—
Liam Quinn, People.com, 16 July 2025
The right-wing former president, who has boasted of his close ties with Trump, is currently on trial for allegedly attempting a coup to overturn Lula’s 2022 election victory.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Trump's letter to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the five-fold tariff increase is partly in retaliation for the country's treatment of its former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for his role in an alleged coup to overturn his reelection loss in 2022.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 10 July 2025
The man whose rise from intern to mogul looked like a hip-hop fairytale has been on trial for charges related to some nightmarish allegations with salacious details about his private life discussed in detail during the proceedings.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
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Liam Quinn, People.com, 16 July 2025
The right-wing former president, who has boasted of his close ties with Trump, is currently on trial for allegedly attempting a coup to overturn Lula’s 2022 election victory.
—John Liu, CNN Money, 16 July 2025
Trump's letter to Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said the five-fold tariff increase is partly in retaliation for the country's treatment of its former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently on trial for his role in an alleged coup to overturn his reelection loss in 2022.
—Josephine Rozzelle, CNBC, 10 July 2025
The man whose rise from intern to mogul looked like a hip-hop fairytale has been on trial for charges related to some nightmarish allegations with salacious details about his private life discussed in detail during the proceedings.
—Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 5 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for on trial
Cite this Entry
“On trial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/on%20trial. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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