incriminate

[ in-krim-uh-neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·crim·i·nat·ed, in·crim·i·nat·ing.

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

Derived Forms

• inˈcrimiˌnator, noun
• inˈcriminatory, adjective
• inˌcrimiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• in·crimi·nation noun
• in·crimi·nator noun
• in·crim·i·na·to·ry [in-, krim, -, uh, -n, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• nonin·crimi·nating adjective
• nonin·crimi·nation noun
• nonin·crimi·na·tory adjective
• unin·crimi·nated adjective
• unin·crimi·nating 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

The man who incriminated Riser said the officer promised to pay nearly $10,000 once both bodies were dumped in the Trinity River.

From Washington Post

She originally set out to archive content posted to Parler last Wednesday in hopes of preserving self-incriminating material before account holders came to their senses and deleted it.

From Ars Technica

During the Prohibition era, she was responsible for breaking codes used by narcotics and alcohol smugglers, incriminating high-profile mob-run rum rings, including that of Al Capone in New Orleans.

From Time

Roy McGrath said he was invoking “those rights guaranteed to me through the laws of the state of Maryland and the state and federal constitutions” — apparently referring to the right not to incriminate himself.

From Washington Post

By showing that Ghosn had been forced to incriminate himself while in jail, the panel of lawyers were in effect throwing the government’s entire case in doubt.

From Fortune

“Arias had a terrific memory for just about everything except for those aspects of the case that incriminate her,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

According to a knowledgeable source, Hernandez began to incriminate himself only after more than an hour of questioning.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, he asked Elena Kagan to incriminate herself.

From The Daily Beast

Those letters incriminate you to the full in this infamous matter here at Condillac.

From Project Gutenberg

No man is called upon to incriminate himself in this free and independent country.

From Project Gutenberg

"You are not required to confess or incriminate yourself, unless you want to," Captain Foster advised the prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

He is hereby warned of his right under the law to challenge any question which may incriminate or tend to incriminate him.

From Project Gutenberg

If the worst came to the worst, and the boy came to harm, the paper would incriminate nobody.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• implicate
• indict
• prosecute