implicate

[im-pli-keyt]

verb (used with object)

implicated, implicating 

1. to show to be also involved, usually in an incriminating manner.

   to be implicated in a crime.

2. to imply as a necessary circumstance, or as something to be inferred or understood.

3. to connect or relate to intimately; affect as a consequence.

   The malfunctioning of one part of the nervous system implicates another part.

4. Archaic.,  to fold or twist together; intertwine; interlace.

implicate

/ ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt, ɪmˈplɪkətɪv /

verb

1. to show to be involved, esp in a crime

2. to involve as a necessary inference; imply

   his protest implicated censure by the authorities

3. to affect intimately

   this news implicates my decision

4. rare,  to intertwine or entangle

Other Word Forms

• implicatively adverb
• implicative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre “to interweave,” equivalent to im- im- ¹ + plicā(re) “to fold” + -ātus -ate ¹; ply ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicate¹

C16: from Latin implicāre to involve, from _im- + plicāre to fold

Synonym Study

See involve.

Example Sentences

Carr's letter also stated that he was "writing to determine whether any FCC regulations have been implicated by the BBC's misleading and deceptive conduct".

Read more on BBC

Kenya's Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said: "The government of Kenya does not sanction harassment, or violence against any citizen... any officer implicated in unlawful conduct bears individual responsibility and is subject to investigation and sanction."

Read more on BBC

Now, 20 years on, a BBC Eye investigation has uncovered evidence that implicates two marines, who were never brought to trial, in the killing of Safa's family, according to a forensic expert.

Read more on BBC

Several of those implicated in the scandal have close links to the Ukrainian president.

Read more on BBC

The nation’s reigning mob boss, also implicated in the plot, has eluded arrest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• accuse 
• affect 
• blame 
• charge 
• cite 
• embroil 
• entangle 
• incriminate 
• suggest