Implicate

im-pli-kate

/ˈɪm.plɪ.keɪt/

Verb

Meaning

  • Implicate means to show that someone is involved in a crime, wrongdoing, or difficult situation, often indirectly or by evidence rather than direct accusation.
  • It can also mean to suggest or indicate that something is a necessary result or consequence of an action.

Examples

  • The evidence appeared to implicate the suspect in the robbery.
  • Several documents implicated the company in financial fraud.
  • His silence seemed to implicate him in the decision.
  • The report implicates poor planning as the main cause of the failure.
  • She refused to answer questions that might implicate her colleagues.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms Antonyms
Incriminate Involve Entangle Accuse Connect Indict Blame Exonerate Clear Acquit Absolved Justify Vindicate

Word Forms

  • Implicate (verb – base form)
  • Implicated (past tense / past participle)
  • Implicating (present participle)
  • Implication (noun)
  • Implicative (adjective – less common)

Origin / Etymology

The word implicate comes from the Latin implicare, meaning “to entangle, involve, or fold into.” It entered English in the late 16th century, originally referring to something being closely connected or entangled, and later developed a strong legal sense related to crime and responsibility.

Grammar Information

  • Verb Type: Transitive verb
  • Sentence Pattern: Implicate + object (Example: The witness implicated the driver.)
  • Commonly used in legal, academic, and formal contexts.
  • Often followed by “in” when referring to involvement in an act (Example: He was implicated in the scandal.)

Translations

  • Hindi: फँसाना, संलिप्त करना
  • Spanish: implicar
  • French: impliquer
  • German: verwickeln
  • Arabic: يُورِّط
  • Chinese (Simplified): 牵连
  • Tamil: தொடர்புபடுத்துதல்

Idioms & Phrases

  • Implicate someone in a crime – to suggest or prove involvement in illegal activity
  • Be implicated in – to be shown as connected to a situation or action
  • Self-implicate – to accidentally make oneself appear guilty

Related Words

  • Implication
  • Implicit
  • Explicit
  • Incriminate
  • Allegation
  • Accusation
  • Liability