incriminate
in-KRIM-ih-nate
/ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪt/
To make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing; to strongly imply guilt.
This often refers to evidence or testimony that points the finger at someone. You can incriminate yourself by saying something that reveals your own guilt.
The story behind the word. The word comes directly from the Latin 'crimen', meaning a charge or an accusation. To incriminate is to literally 'put the crime into' someone's record or reputation.
Word relationships
- implicate: Implicate means to show involvement; incriminate specifically means to show guilt.
- exculpate: Exculpate means to show that someone is NOT guilty.
Commonly confused with
- implicate: Implicate is broader; you can be implicated in a plan without being the one who committed the crime.
Word family
- incrimination (noun): The act of incriminating or the state of being incriminated.
- incriminatory (adjective): Tending to incriminate.
Collocations
- incriminating evidence
- incriminate oneself
- highly incriminating
Example sentences
- "The fingerprints on the safe were enough to incriminate the suspect." Criminal Investigation
- "The Fifth Amendment protects citizens from being forced to incriminate themselves." Constitutional Law
Memory hook
In-Crim-In-Ate: If you are 'In' the 'Crim' (crime), you are incriminated. Make look guilty.
When not to use
Do not use when someone is simply 'accused'; use it when the evidence itself is doing the accusing.
Fun facts
- In legal terms, 'self-incrimination' is the act of exposing oneself to an accusation or charge of crime.
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