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

He had never been examined at Westwood's trial—and the law does not compel a man to inculpate himself.

From A Life Sentence A Novel by Adeline Sergeant

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

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

You cannot do a dishonourable act without my being inculpated in the disgrace.

From Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell

She was condemned, after having inculpated thirteen other persons, but “prevented execution by dying in gaol, a little before the expiring of the term her confederate dæmon had set for her enjoyment of Diabolical Pleasures.”

From Witch Stories by E. Lynn (Elizabeth Lynn) Linton

Not only were parties inculpated without fault, but tried without defence.

From Life and Character of Richard Carlile by George Jacob Holyoake

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

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

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 Thomas Adolphus Trollope

And he was so mortally offended, that he would have betrayed her to the courts even, if he had known how to do it without inculpating himself.

From The Clique of Gold by Émile Gaboriau

Letters inculpating them were found, a family and state council was convened, and the page sentenced to death, while all concurred in the guilt of the duchess.

From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 20, September, 1877. by Various

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