complicit
kuhm-PLISS-it
/kəmˈplɪsɪt/
Involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing; choosing to stay silent while wrong is committed.
Emphasizes moral or legal shared responsibility, even through passive silence or inaction.
The story behind the word. Rooted in Latin 'complicare' ('com-' together + 'plicare' to fold), suggesting being 'folded together' with another person in a scheme. It reached English through French legal terms for accomplices in crime.
Word relationships
- culpable: Culpable means deserving blame, whereas complicit specifically means sharing responsibility for another's wrong.
- accessory: Accessory is a strict legal designation for someone who assists in a crime.
- blameless: Completely free of responsibility or guilt.
- innocent: Not involved in or responsible for any wrong.
Commonly confused with
- compliant: Compliant means obediently following rules, while complicit means involved in wrongdoing.
Word family
- complicity (noun): The state of being involved with others in illegal or wrongful activity.
Collocations
- complicit in
- deemed complicit
- remain complicit
- complicit silence
Idioms & expressions
- turn a blind eye
Example sentences
- "By remaining silent during the audit, several senior managers became complicit in the financial fraud." Corporate Scandals
- "International observers warned that purchasing conflict minerals made electronic firms complicit in regional violence." Human Rights
Memory hook
COMPLICIT = folded into the conspiracy with accomplices. Folded into the blame.
When not to use
Do not use for innocent bystanders who have no knowledge or ability to prevent the wrong.
Fun facts
- In 2017, 'complicit' was named Word of the Year by Dictionary.com following high-profile political events.
Related words
Explore more words
accomplice, collude, collusion, condone, culpability, implicate
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