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
In the summer of 2022, Dana Chandler was on trial for the second time for the murders of Mike Sisco and Karen Harkness.
—
Ruth Chenetz, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Russell is on trial on federal civil rights charges for the shooting death of Nicholas Bils and faces up to life in prison if convicted.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
On Friday, May 23, eight of the ten defendants on trial for charges related to the robbery, where Kardashian was held at gunpoint and millions of dollars of jewelry were stolen, were found guilty, per NBC News.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 23 May 2025
Subsequently, drug discovery has largely relied on trial and error, with success rates below 10% (registration required).
—Max Votek, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for on trial
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Ruth Chenetz, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Russell is on trial on federal civil rights charges for the shooting death of Nicholas Bils and faces up to life in prison if convicted.
—Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 May 2025
On Friday, May 23, eight of the ten defendants on trial for charges related to the robbery, where Kardashian was held at gunpoint and millions of dollars of jewelry were stolen, were found guilty, per NBC News.
—Julia Moore, People.com, 23 May 2025
Subsequently, drug discovery has largely relied on trial and error, with success rates below 10% (registration required).
—Max Votek, Forbes.com, 22 May 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 6 Jun. 2025.
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