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
He is scheduled to go on trial in April.
—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
While the Nuremberg trials put the Nazi high command on trial, there were still many, many Germans in the SS or who worked at concentration camps who were able to return to everyday life.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Brendan Banfield is on trial for murder in connection with the 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, who was stabbed to death, and Joseph Ryan, who was fatally shot.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for on trial
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Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
While the Nuremberg trials put the Nazi high command on trial, there were still many, many Germans in the SS or who worked at concentration camps who were able to return to everyday life.
—Katie Walsh, Twin Cities, 1 Feb. 2026
Brendan Banfield is on trial for murder in connection with the 2023 deaths of his wife, Christine Banfield, who was stabbed to death, and Joseph Ryan, who was fatally shot.
—Liam Quinn, PEOPLE, 30 Jan. 2026
The leader of the Unification Church, also known as the Moonies, which began in South Korea and has spread worldwide, is also on trial over the bribes.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 28 Jan. 2026
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 4 Feb. 2026.
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