What term means to accuse someone of wrongdoing?

The term that means to accuse someone of wrongdoing is "indict." In a legal context, to indict means to formally charge someone with a crime, typically as a result of a grand jury's decision. This process involves presenting evidence that suggests there is enough reason to believe that the individual committed the alleged offense.

In contrast, exonerate refers to clearing someone from blame or fault, which is the opposite of accusing. Prosecute means to bring a legal action against someone for an alleged offense, but it involves the process after the accusation has been made; it's about pursuing penalties or legal action rather than the act of accusation itself. Convict is the outcome of a legal process where a person is found guilty of a crime, highlighting that the individual has already faced charges and been adjudicated, rather than simply being accused of wrongdoing. Hence, the term "indict" most accurately represents the act of formally accusing someone of a crime.