verb

implicate

IHMP-lih-kayt

verb

To show that someone is involved in something wrong or criminal.

"The witness statement implicated two other suspects."

"New evidence implicated him in the fraud scheme."

To suggest or imply something as a natural consequence.

"The findings implicate stress as a major factor in the illness."

How to Use Implicate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo connect someone to a crime or wrongdoing, or to suggest something logically follows.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with "implicit" — implicate is a verb meaning to involve or accuse; implicit is an adjective meaning unstated.

Easily confused with

implicit → imply →

Common pairings

implicate someone in a crime

more implicate comparative, implicated past tense, implicates plural, implicates singular, most implicate superlative

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Can you complete this real example?

The witness statement _____ two other suspects.

From Latin implicatus, past participle of implico ("to entangle, involve"), from plico ("to fold"). A doublet of imply and employ.

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