implicate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to show to be also involved, usually in an incriminating manner.
to be implicated in a crime.
-
to imply as a necessary circumstance, or as something to be inferred or understood.
-
to connect or relate to intimately; affect as a consequence.
The malfunctioning of one part of the nervous system implicates another part.
-
Archaic. to fold or twist together; intertwine; interlace.
verb
-
to show to be involved, esp in a crime
-
to involve as a necessary inference; imply
his protest implicated censure by the authorities
-
to affect intimately
this news implicates my decision
-
rare to intertwine or entangle
Related Words
See involve.
Other Word Forms
- implicative adjective
- implicatively adverb
Etymology
Origin of implicate
First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre “to interweave,” equivalent to im- im- 1 + plicā(re) “to fold” + -ātus -ate 1; ply 2
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.
The files do not implicate Clinton in any wrongdoing; he has not been accused of misconduct by Epstein's victims who have come forward so far, and there is no proof he knew of his crimes.
From BBC
Some posts simply pointed out the corporate structure of the company, while others incorrectly claimed that Black was the CEO of Lifetouch, or that Lifetouch was implicated directly in the files.
The Administration’s strongest argument is that it deserves deference on questions that implicate foreign affairs.
Prosecutors in Paris on Saturday said they would re-examine the case of Brunel and set up a special team to analyze evidence that could implicate French nationals in the Epstein case.
It’s also staged to implicate the audience in the Marcos’ ascension to office, ultimately revealing how corrupt leaders often appear charming at first.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
