inculpate

[ in-kuhl-peyt, in-kuhl-peyt ]

/ ɪnˈkʌl peɪt, ˈɪn kʌl peɪt /

verb (used with object), in·cul·pat·ed, in·cul·pat·ing.

to charge with fault; blame; accuse.

to involve in a charge; incriminate.

Nearby words

incudomalleal, incudostapedial, inculcate, inculcation, inculpable, inculpate, incult, inculturation, incumbency, incumbent, incumbent on

Origin of inculpate

1790–1800; < Late Latin inculpātus past participle of inculpāre to blame, equivalent to Latin in- in-² + culp(a) fault + -ātus -ate¹; cf. culpable

ANTONYMS FOR inculpate

1, 2 exonerate.

Related forms

in·cul·pa·tion, nounin·cul·pa·to·ry

[in-kuhl-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] /ɪnˈkʌl pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i/, adjective

Can be confused

exculpate exonerate inculpateexculpatory inculpatory

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for inculpatory

This is the core of U.S. criminal justice: The plea bargain exchange of inculpatory perjury for immunities or reduced sentences.
Stop the Murdoch Witch Hunt|Conrad Black|July 22, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Soon after I reached my brother's house he communicated to me the contents of this inculpatory letter.
Autobiography of Friedrich Froebel|Friedrich Froebel
Would the strain of inculpatory observations that we have been making, have answered their purpose?
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 62, No. 382, October 1847|Various

British Dictionary definitions for inculpatory

inculpate

/ (ˈɪnkʌlˌpeɪt, ɪnˈkʌlpeɪt) /

verb

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

Derived Forms

inculpation, nouninculpative (ɪnˈkʌlpətɪv) or inculpatory (ɪnˈkʌlpətərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

Word Origin for inculpate

C18: from Late Latin inculpāre, from Latin culpāre to blame, from culpa fault, blame

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012