incriminate

[ in-krim-uh-neyt ]

See synonyms for: incriminate incriminated incriminating incrimination on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),in·crim·i·nat·ed, in·crim·i·nat·ing.

to accuse of or present proof of a crime or fault: He incriminated both men to the grand jury.
to involve in an accusation; cause to be or appear to be guilty; implicate: His testimony incriminated his friend. He feared incriminating himself if he answered.

to charge with responsibility for all or part of an undesirable situation, harmful effect, etc.: to incriminate cigarettes as a cause of lung cancer.

Origin of incriminate

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

Other words from incriminate

in·crim·i·na·tion, noun
in·crim·i·na·tor, noun
in·crim·i·na·to·ry [in-krim-uh-nuh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], /ɪnˈkrɪm ə nəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, 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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use incriminate in a sentence

Last week, Matthew Sherring, who had been a close aide to McGrath at MES, invoked his constitutional right not to incriminate himself more than 130 times in declining to answer questions from the committee.
Ex-aide to Gov. Hogan declines to answer lawmakers’ questions about large severance payment | Steve Thompson | December 17, 2020 | Washington Post
The wealthy want to be seen as even more parsimonious, to offset the incriminating millions in their bank accounts.
Sting and Hillary Are Just Like You: How the Very Rich Play at Being Very Ordinary | Tim Teeman | June 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Though a laptop found in the bag was thoroughly examined, the police found no incriminating material on it.
Breaking Rebekah Brooks’ Hollywood Cover-Up Code | Peter Jukes, Nico Hines | November 4, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Authorities in Moscow claim to have arrested an American spook wearing wigs and carrying an incriminating letter.
American Spy Nabbed in Russia? | Anna Nemtsova | May 14, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
What might she pull out: incriminating papers, devastating notes, embarrassing memorabilia?
The Language of Margaret Thatcher’s Handbags | Robin Givhan | April 8, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

Recruiters were asked to screen potential recruits for incriminating tattoos and associations with potentially troubling groups.
How Neo-Nazis and Gangs Infiltrated the U.S. Military: Matt Kennard’s ‘Irregular Army’ | Michael Thomsen | December 13, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Albert selected all the incriminating letters and documents he could find and packed the micro-files in his jacket.
Insidekick | Jesse Franklin Bone
He was evidently annoyed at not finding something incriminating.
Boy Scouts in the North Sea | G. Harvey Ralphson
Naturally the most minute search revealed nothing of an incriminating character.
Condemned as a Nihilist | George Alfred Henty
A longer reaction time usually follows the incriminating words, and the subject is thrown into a visible confusion.
The Science of Human Nature | William Henry Pyle
The woman Petre had not, as far as I could make out, made any incriminating statement to the police.
The Sign of Silence | William Le Queux

British Dictionary definitions for incriminate

incriminate

/ (ɪnˈkrɪmɪˌneɪt) /

verb(tr)

to imply or suggest the guilt or error of (someone)
to charge with a crime or fault

Origin of incriminate

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

Derived forms of incriminate

incrimination, noun
incriminator, noun
incriminatory, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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