implicate
IM-plih-kayt
/ˈɪmplɪkeɪt/
To show someone to be involved in a crime or harmful situation.
Implicate is slightly 'softer' than incriminate. It suggests a connection or involvement that might lead to guilt, but doesn't always prove the crime itself.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'plicare' (to fold). To implicate someone was to 'fold' them into the situation, like a piece of paper folded into a larger document.
Word relationships
- involve: Involve is neutral; implicate is almost always negative.
- entangle: Entangle suggests a messy or complicated involvement.
- detach: To detach is to separate from a situation.
Commonly confused with
- imply: Imply means to suggest something indirectly; implicate means to show involvement in something bad.
Word family
- implication (noun): The conclusion that can be drawn from something although it is not explicitly stated.
Collocations
- implicate in a plot
- directly implicated
- evidence implicating
Example sentences
- "The leaked documents implicate several high-ranking officials in the bribery scheme." Political Scandal
- "High sugar intake has been implicated in the development of various chronic diseases." Scientific Study
Memory hook
Think of being 'In the Plot' (Im-Plic). You are folded into the story. Folded into the crime.
When not to use
Avoid using this for positive involvement; use 'involve' or 'associate' instead.
Fun facts
- The word 'explicit' is the opposite—it means 'unfolded' or clearly stated.
Related words
Explore more words
circumstantial, impeach, interrogate, incarcerate, suspect, exculpate
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