- present participle of incriminate.
incriminating
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Explanation
Something incriminating makes it clear that you're guilty. Incriminating evidence is often enough for police to arrest a suspect. An open cookie jar and crumbs all over your brother's shirt are incriminating enough for your grandma to scold him for sneaking cookies, and a detective will probably consider the fact that a suspect is wearing a watch belonging to a robbery victim to be incriminating evidence. In both cases, the evidence suggests guilt. Incriminating comes from the Latin incriminare, "to incriminate," from in-, "in," and criminare, "to accuse of a crime."
Vocabulary lists containing incriminating
The Westing Game
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Red Kayak
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Bomb
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The vehicle’s registration turned out to be expired, Castronovo said, but the driver was allowed to leave without a citation after the officers searched his vehicle and found nothing incriminating.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
Their phones were examined, revealing incriminating messages including texts to Young's mother saying he was worried he would be caught.
From BBC ● Jun. 16, 2026
It seems like prosecutors rushed through this plea agreement without knowing or caring that far more incriminating evidence was on the way.
From Slate ● Mar. 20, 2026
In recent days, police—on foot and in vehicles, some equipped with night-vision goggles—have been near Chakwera’s house trying to catch an incriminating glimpse of the canines, residents said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 13, 2026
In his final, careless act as a double agent, Ames had left incriminating notes to and from the KGB in his trash can.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
