implicate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to show to be also involved, usually in an incriminating manner.
to be implicated in a crime.
-
to imply as a necessary circumstance, or as something to be inferred or understood.
-
to connect or relate to intimately; affect as a consequence.
The malfunctioning of one part of the nervous system implicates another part.
-
Archaic. to fold or twist together; intertwine; interlace.
verb
-
to show to be involved, esp in a crime
-
to involve as a necessary inference; imply
his protest implicated censure by the authorities
-
to affect intimately
this news implicates my decision
-
rare to intertwine or entangle
Synonym Usage
See involve.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has implicatedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have implicatedperfect
-
is implicatingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am implicatingprogressive 1st person singular
-
has been implicatingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
are implicatingprogressive
-
implicatessingular 3rd person
-
implicatingparticiple
-
have been implicatingperfect progressive
Past
-
had implicatedperfect
-
was implicatingprogressive singular
-
had been implicatingperfect progressive
-
implicatedparticiple
-
implicatedsimple
-
were implicatingprogressive plural
Future
Etymology
Origin of implicate
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; see ply 2
Explanation
The verb implicate means "to connect or involve in something." For example, your cousins might implicate you in the planning of a big party for your grandparents. Implicate comes from the Latin word implicare, meaning "to entwine, involve." When you implicate someone, you bring him or her into a group or to pitch in on a project. Implicate can have criminal connotations when it means "to connect in an incriminating manner," like when detectives figure out who drove the getaway car in the bank robbery — that person will be implicated for his or her role in the crime.
Vocabulary lists containing implicate
Just Mercy
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Monster
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Wasn't Me: The Lingo of Laying Blame
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He added that McCullagh's attempt to implicate an innocent third party - Natalie's ex-boyfriend - was another factor.
From BBC • Jun. 3, 2026
Colorado argued that its statute does not meaningfully implicate the First Amendment because it regulates conduct and only incidentally burdens speech.
From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026
“To figure out where his power and money came from—they felt trying to answer that didn’t implicate them in his crimes.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026
The 49-year-old has vowed to implicate officials in the current government in the case.
From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026
It was easier to confess everything and implicate everybody.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
