complicity

[kuhm-plis-i-tee]

noun

plural

complicities 

1. the state of being an accomplice; partnership or involvement in wrongdoing.

   complicity in a crime.

   Synonyms: connivance, implication, intrigue, collusion

complicity

/ kəmˈplɪsɪtɪ /

noun

1. the fact or condition of being an accomplice, esp in a criminal act

2. a less common word for complexity

Other Word Forms

• complicitous adjective
• noncomplicity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of complicity¹

1650–60; < Late Latin complic-, stem of complex complice + -ity

Example Sentences

One official who was involved and spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid facing retribution said they were disgusted by the request’s “brazenness and the high-handed expectation of complicity.”

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An NGO said Tuesday it had filed a legal complaint against TotalEnergies, accusing the French energy multinational of "complicity in war crimes" at its gas site in Mozambique.

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"Their complicity is documented here to hold these states accountable. These states must address their role in the genocide and cease their complicity."

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That linguistic timidity —our inability to name what’s happening — is itself a form of complicity, and the result of a combination of fear and fecklessness.

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Ten former allies of the Bongos are also on trial, accused of complicity in the embezzlement of public funds.

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Related Words

• collaboration 
• collusion 
• connivance 
• guilt 
• involvement 
• manipulation