inculpate

[ in-kuhl-peyt, in-kuhl-peyt ]

/ ɪnˈkʌl peɪt, ˈɪn kʌl peɪt /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR inculpate ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), in·cul·pat·ed, in·cul·pat·ing.

to charge with fault; blame; accuse.

to involve in a charge; incriminate.

Words nearby inculpate

incudomalleal, incudostapedial, inculcate, inculcation, inculpable, inculpate, incult, inculturation, incumbency, incumbent, incumbent on

Origin of inculpate

First recorded in 1790–1800; from Late Latin inculpātus, past participle of inculpāre “to blame,” equivalent to Latin in- “in” + culp(a) “fault” + -ātus past participle suffix; see in-², -ate¹; cf. culpable

ANTONYMS FOR inculpate

1, 2 exonerate.

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OTHER WORDS FROM inculpate

in·cul·pa·tion, nounin·cul·pa·to·ry

[in-kuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈkʌl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH inculpate

exculpate exonerate inculpateexculpatory inculpatory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inculpate

He had never been examined at Westwood's trial—and the law does not compel a man to inculpate himself.
A Life Sentence|Adeline Sergeant
He had heard that whenever a woman was to blame for a disappointment, the best way to avoid a scene was to inculpate oneself.
Zuleika Dobson|Max Beerbohm
And so, as they had the power and wish to inculpate him, this expedient of an inquiry and trial seemed unnecessary.
War and Peace|Leo Tolstoy
I have observed that my letter might inculpate me in the eyes of persons unacquainted with the particulars of what had passed.
The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete|Jean Jacques Rousseau

But I have already said I am not here to excuse myself or inculpate others.
The Talisman|Sir Walter Scott

British Dictionary definitions for inculpate

inculpate

/ (ˈɪnkʌlˌpeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlpeɪt) /

verb

(tr) to incriminate; cause blame to be imputed to

Derived forms of inculpate

inculpation, nouninculpative (ɪnˈkʌlpətɪv) or inculpatory (ɪnˈkʌlpətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

Word Origin for inculpate

C18: from Late Latin inculpāre, from Latin culpāre to blame, from culpa fault, blame

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