complicit

[kuhm-plis-it]

adjective

1. choosing to be involved in an illegal or questionable act, especially with others; having complicity.

complicit

/ ˌkɒmˈplɪsɪt /

adjective

1. involved with others in reprehensible or illegal activity

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicit¹

First recorded in 1855–60; back formation from complicity

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicit¹

C20: back formation from _complicity

Example Sentences

Ayloush said Hamdi was only guilty of “being critical of what Israel is doing to Palestinians, and the complicit role the U.S. government has played.”

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"If the Constitutional Council proclaims falsified and truncated results, it will be complicit in a breach of trust," he declared.

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The greed and avarice of media barons are complicit in the government’s move toward one ruling party with no dissent.

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The other was sentenced to 10 years in prison for spying for France, five years for conspiring against national security and 20 years in exile for being complicit in intelligence co-operation with Israel.

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“Rather than taking a stance against an authoritarian regime, CSU leadership has chosen to be complicit,” said the California Faculty Association, which represents 29,000 employees.

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Related Words

• conniving