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

These words produced the greatest excitement throughout the court; and an animated discussion ensued, how far the testimony could go to inculpate a party not accused.

From Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume II by Charles James Lever

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

Such is the grand outline of Dr. Moseley's history of this unfortunate expedition; in the miscarriage of which, it must not be dissembled that, among other causes, Colonel Polson appears in some degree inculpated.

From The Life of the Right Honourable Horatio Lord Viscount Nelson, Volume 1 by James Harrison

Now began that clandestine correspondence which seems to have implicated and inculpated half the musicians of Europe.

From The Love Affairs of Great Musicians, Volume 2 by Rupert Hughes

M. de Lessart, placed by his position between the armed emigrants, the impatient Assembly, undecided Europe, and the inculpated king, could not fail to fall under his own good intentions.

From History of the Girondists, Volume I Personal Memoirs of the Patriots of the French Revolution by H. T. Ryde

At this reference the steward of the barony objected, as also against the depositions that inculpated Dan.

From The Deemster by Sir Hall Caine

She had meant, in this intimate meeting, to give him a few hints as to his personal safety without too closely inculpating Zouroff and his associates, whom she still greatly feared.

From The Intriguers by William Le Queux

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 ask assistance would not only be confessing her own disobedience, but inculpating her brother, and really, perhaps, deprive him of the enjoyments he anticipated, and so confirm his unkind words.

From Home Influence A Tale for Mothers and Daughters by Grace Aguilar

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