Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

press charges

[pres chahr-jiz] / ˈprɛs ˈtʃɑr dʒɪz /
VERB
litigate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
prosecute
STRONG
appeal contest dispute sue
WEAK
drag into court file suit go to court go to law institute legal proceedings see one in court take the law on
Antonyms
STRONG
agree
VERB
prefer charges
Synonyms
WEAK
accuse charge indict take one to court

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sovann Komar’s new management soon made a series of accusations against Sothea and three of the foster parents, and asked prosecutors to press charges.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 8, 2025

And when Maggie decides to press charges against Hank and tell her story to the press, the fallout unsurprisingly does not seem great enough.

From Salon • Sep. 25, 2025

In May, the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to press charges over threats he was alleged to have made.

From BBC • Jul. 11, 2025

Prosecutors later looked at the evidence and refused to press charges.

From Slate • Jul. 7, 2025

In the end, the kid didn’t want to press charges.

From "A Very Large Expanse of Sea" by Tahereh Mafi