incriminate

C2 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /ɪnˈkrɪm.ə.neɪt/ UK /ɪnˈkrɪm.ɪ.neɪt/ See IPA manual

Freq #20052

Meanings

1

verb
to provide evidence or information suggesting that someone is guilty of a crime or wrongdoing

The fingerprints could incriminate the suspect.
2

verb
to accuse someone of a crime or bring criminal blame against them

The witness refused to incriminate an innocent colleague.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to provide evidence or... implicate inculpate

2 verb · to accuse someone of a... accuse indict charge

Opposites

exonerate acquit clear

Word family

Derived forms incriminatorincriminatoryself-incriminate

Related forms incriminationcriminal convict

Etymology

Borrowed from Medieval Latin incriminare, 'to accuse,' formed from Latin in- + crimen, 'charge, accusation, crime.' The evidential sense developed from the idea of placing someone under criminal accusation.

Topics

Actions & Processes Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

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