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

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 formsin·cul·pa·tion, nounin·cul·pa·to·ry

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

Can be confusedexculpate 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 Formsinculpation, 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

Word Origin and History for inculpatory

inculpate

1799, "to accuse, bring charges against," from Medieval Latin inculpatus, past participle of inculpare "to reproach, blame, censure," from Latin in- "in" (see in- (2)) + culpare "to blame," from culpa "fault." But inculpable (late 15c.) means "not culpable, free from blame," from Latin in- "not" (see in- (1)) + culpare.