witness tampering

noun

law
: the act of physically harming or using threats, intimidation, harassment, or corrupt persuasion against a witness with the goal of influencing the witness's testimony or preventing the witness from providing evidence in an official proceeding
…12 jurors are considering whether to put him in prison for the rest of his life on charges that include racketeering, extortion, bribery, mail fraud and witness tampering.Karen Tumulty

Examples of witness tampering in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The mother was charged with two second-degree counts of aggravated assault, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, one count of first-degree witness tampering with threat of force, and one count of third-degree hindering, per Daily Voice. Escher Walcott, People.com, 22 Mar. 2025 Despite all that, an allegation of witness tampering surfaced midway through the proceedings. Steve Karnowski, Twin Cities, 19 Mar. 2025 Demons and several others have been charged with witness tampering in connection with that accusation. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2025 Three judges denied his request for release — which included a substantial $50 million bail package and around-the-clock monitoring — citing concern of witness tampering and being a danger to the community. Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 30 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for witness tampering

Word History

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of witness tampering was in 1902

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Cite this Entry

“Witness tampering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witness%20tampering. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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