trial by media
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.73 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
4
Syllables
10
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
The process by which media coverage affects a person's reputation by creating a widespread perception of guilt or innocence, often before, or after, a verdict in a court of law.
Example Sentences
- ""Next up is a suit for procedural malfeasance, including false arrest, dereliction of duty, excessive force, and incompetence. I like to think of it as the 'impersonating a police force' suit. It'll play well on the news." "You threaten our clients with trial by media?" "Why yes, yes I do. And we're willing to settle out of court on this one. All you need to do is drop all charges against our lieutenant commander.""