inculpate

American  

[in-kuhl-payt, in-kuhl-payt] / ɪnˈkʌl peɪt, ˈɪn kʌl peɪt /

verb (used with object)

inculpated, inculpating

1. to charge with fault; blame; accuse.

   Antonyms:

   exonerate

2. to involve in a charge; incriminate.

   Antonyms:

   exonerate

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inculpate British  

/ ˈɪnkʌlˌpeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlpeɪt /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• inculpation
  noun
• inculpative
  adjective
• inculpatory
  adjective

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

inculpate inculpated inculpating

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

The object was to inculpate the Secretary of the Treasury respecting the management and application of these loans, and of the revenue generally.

From Life and Times of Washington, Volume 2 Revised, Enlarged, and Enriched by John Frederick Schroeder

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

The rector inculpated the abbot, and each appealed to Rome, with what result is unknown.

From The Story of Paris by Katherine Kimball

But the inculpated men were rich and they resolved to appeal from the Directors to the Proprietors.

From Rulers of India: Lord Clive by George Bruce Malleson

They had stood their ground when deserted by their companions; and, although they had told the truth about the whole company, they had not inculpated individuals.

From The Drummer Boy by J. T. (John Townsend) Trowbridge

Barrere proposes a middle course:—Will not perhaps the inculpated Deputies consent to withdraw voluntarily; to make a generous demission, and self-sacrifice for the sake of one's country?

From The French Revolution by Thomas Carlyle

Not a scrap of a letter could be found inculpating him.

From History of the Rise of the Huguenots Volume 2 by Henry Martyn Baird

Nor could he be brought to give the slightest clue towards inculpating such of the peasants as had assisted his work by their contributions for the maintenance of his men.

From For the Right by Karl Emil Franzos

With Humphrey on the other side of the world, and Susan in her grave, he would not exonerate himself by inculpating them.

From The Honour of the Clintons by Archibald Marshall

“To try and save his own neck by sending us all to perdition before our time,” exclaimed Delano, evidently for the moment forgetting all caution, from his feeling of exasperation, and thus clearly inculpating himself.

From Salt Water The Sea Life and Adventures of Neil D'Arcy the Midshipman by C. J. de Lacey

With a sheaf of these letters in his pocket, each one inculpating both parties to the illegal "deals," Blount grew gayly exultant.

From The Honorable Senator Sage-Brush by Francis Lynde

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