inculpate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to charge with fault; blame; accuse.
- Antonyms:
- exonerate
-
to involve in a charge; incriminate.
- Antonyms:
- exonerate
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
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, -ate 1; cf. culpable
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.
See Examples For:
The phrase “more modern ways of thinking” may curdle the blood of the reader, who may brace for Ms. Lutz to inculpate her subject in matters of race, class and gender.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Nobody doubts that a clever jurist with a dictionary and a truckload of motivated reasoning can use the law to exculpate himself and inculpate others.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2023
Thomas said Samia did not deserve a new trial because the confession “did not directly inculpate the defendant and was subject to a proper limiting instruction.”
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 23, 2023
“This is particularly concerning given that the defendant is aware that Witness-1 has information that would tend to inculpate the defendant.”
From New York Times ● Jan. 27, 2023
I do not only inculpate Ræderer," exclaimed Tallien, "I denounce Condorcet and Brissot.
From History of the Girondists, Volume I Personal Memoirs of the Patriots of the French Revolution by Ryde, H. T.
ITV separately agreed to pay Mr. McAlpine more than $200,000 for a program of its own that inculpated him.
From New York Times ● Dec. 19, 2012
But I will be inculpated, come what may.
From The Red Rat's Daughter by Boothby, Guy
But whether Florence has been inculpated in the flight of Edith, or has followed her, or has done too much, or too little, or anything, or nothing, she has not the least idea.
From Dombey and Son by Dickens, Charles
Suppose, however, that he had been previously inculpated.
From The Customs of Old England by Snell, F. J. (Frederick John)
If so, the general body of the intelligent must hear all the established side have to say: that is, they must become just as much of students as the inculpated orthodox themselves.
From A Budget of Paradoxes, Volume II by Smith, David Eugene
In any case, his importance was forgotten in a splendid dramatic idea entertained by the detectives, inculpating a clever and notorious criminal.
From The Missing Link by Dyson, Edward
William Paul was, indeed, put in confinement and soon gave evidence inculpating two slaves as his employers,—Mingo Harth and Peter Poyas.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 07, No. 44, June, 1861 Creator by Various
No evidence was found inculpating him in the slightest degree; but his life was, for the moment at least, made distinctly harder.
From Raleigh by Lang, Andrew
In one way or another he foresaw that it would be absolutely necessary to force the woman into making some definite statement either inculpating or exonerating the bishop in respect of Jentham's death.
From The Bishop's Secret by Hume, Fergus
You were then unwilling, as you are now unwilling, to exculpate yourself at the cost of inculpating one who is dear to you.
From A Siren by Trollope, Thomas Adolphus
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.
