incriminate

[in-krim-uh-neyt]

verb (used with object)

incriminated, incriminating 

1. to accuse of or present proof of a crime or fault.

   He incriminated both men to the grand jury.

2. to involve in an accusation; cause to be or appear to be guilty; implicate: He feared incriminating himself if he answered.

   His testimony incriminated his friend.

   He feared incriminating himself if he answered.

3. to charge with responsibility for all or part of an undesirable situation, harmful effect, etc..

   to incriminate cigarettes as a cause of lung cancer.

incriminate

/ ɪnˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. to imply or suggest the guilt or error of (someone)

2. to charge with a crime or fault

Other Word Forms

• incrimination noun
• incriminator noun
• incriminatory adjective
• nonincriminating adjective
• nonincrimination noun
• nonincriminatory adjective
• unincriminated adjective
• unincriminating adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of incriminate¹

First recorded in 1720–30; from Late Latin incrīminātus, past participle of incrīmināre “to accuse”; in- ², criminate

Word History and Origins

Origin of incriminate¹

C18: from Late Latin incrīmināre to accuse, from Latin crīmen accusation; see _crime

Example Sentences

According to officials, Robinson sent some of his most incriminating messages via text message.

From Los Angeles Times

He is also facing two counts of witness tampering after he allegedly instructed his roommate to delete incriminating texts, and asking them not to talk to investigators if they were questioned by authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Robinson is also facing two counts of witness tampering after he allegedly instructed his roommate to delete incriminating texts, and asking them not to talk to investigators if they were questioned by authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

Kirk was hauled in front of a Congressional committee investigating the riot and declined to say much of anything, instead invoking his constitutional right not to incriminate himself.

From BBC

People he has grilled say that when he doesn’t get the answer he’s looking for, he has a Columbo-esque tendency to ask the same question in different ways in an attempt to elicit something incriminating.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• implicate 
• indict 
• prosecute