incriminate
Americanverb (used with object)
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to accuse of or present proof of a crime or fault.
He incriminated both men to the grand jury.
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to involve in an accusation; cause to be or appear to be guilty; implicate: He feared incriminating himself if he answered.
His testimony incriminated his friend.
He feared incriminating himself if he answered.
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to charge with responsibility for all or part of an undesirable situation, harmful effect, etc..
to incriminate cigarettes as a cause of lung cancer.
verb
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to imply or suggest the guilt or error of (someone)
-
to charge with a crime or fault
Other Word Forms
- incrimination noun
- incriminator noun
- incriminatory adjective
- nonincriminating adjective
- nonincrimination noun
- nonincriminatory adjective
- unincriminated adjective
- unincriminating adjective
Etymology
Origin of incriminate
First recorded in 1720–30; from Late Latin incrīminātus, past participle of incrīmināre “to accuse”; in- 2, criminate
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.
I didn’t carry incriminating evidence around under the insole of my right shoe.
From Literature
It said it also took into account "the public discussion on social media, which was incriminating for the defendant".
From BBC
Massie said they are "likely incriminated by their inclusion in these files".
From BBC
Massie has also criticized the DOJ, which he says “has failed to properly redact victims’ information while simultaneously succeeding in avoiding the disclosure of incriminated individuals,” in a statement to Salon.
From Salon
In recent days, police—on foot and in vehicles, some equipped with night-vision goggles—have been near Chakwera’s house trying to catch an incriminating glimpse of the canines, residents said.
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.
