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

---

inculpate British  

/ ˈɪnkʌlˌpeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlpeɪt /

verb

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

---

Other Word Forms

• inculpation
  noun
• inculpative
  adjective
• inculpatory
  adjective

---

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

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

This, of course, would inculpate the caretaker Mason.

From The Master Detective Being Some Further Investigations of Christopher Quarles by Percy James Brebner

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 evidence for the crown consisted, therefore, on the day of trial, of the testimony of persons acquainted with Hornby's signature, that the acceptance across the inculpated bill was not in his handwriting.

From The Experiences of a Barrister, and Confessions of an Attorney by Samuel Warren

At the present moment, you are merely inculpated, and in me you must see your protector.

From The Stepmother, A Drama in Five Acts by Honoré de Balzac

In the search through their house, documents were found which inculpated the Archbishop Franzoni himself, and he was consequently arrested and imprisoned in the fortress of Fenestrelles.

From Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. V, October, 1850, Volume I. by

They would be confident that I was innocent, but at the same time they would know the risk I ran of being inculpated with the guilty.

From Will Weatherhelm The Yarn of an Old Sailor by Archibald Webb

"I will be judge of that, Lottie," said her mother, and Boyne seized his chance of inculpating her with his friend, Mr. Pogis.

From The Kentons by William Dean Howells

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

“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

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 Fergus Hume

She did not realise the enormous difference recognised by the whole civilised world between thought and act, between disposing mind and inculpating deed.

From Beatrice by Henry Rider Haggard

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---