implicate

verb

im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt 

implicated; implicating

transitive verb

1

a

: to bring into intimate or incriminating connection

evidence that implicates him in the bombing

b

: to involve in the nature or operation of something

2

: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply

3

archaic : to fold or twist together : entwine

Synonyms

• enlace
• entwine
• interlace
• intertwine
• intertwist
• interweave
• inweave
• lace
• ply
• twist
• weave
• wreathe
• writhe

Examples of implicate in a Sentence

His business partner was implicated in the theft.

the implicated vines did form a most restful garden bower

Recent Examples on the Web

This style connects the violence of colonialism to the violence of representation and reveals Woolf’s awareness that he is implicated in the brutality of the entire colonial system. —Jenny Noyce, JSTOR Daily, 14 May 2025

Those charges came out of an investigation conducted by the Manhattan district attorney’s office that did not implicate the mayor in any wrongdoing. —Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 10 May 2025

Dynastic planning should ideally incorporate sufficient flexibility to ensure any irrevocable trust structures do not implicate foreign trust tax and administrative burdens especially when those benefiting from the trusts obtain multiple citizenships, change residencies, or expatriate. —Priya Prakash Royal Esq. Ll.m. Mba Aep Tep, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

But a bitter divorce turned deadly when Jennifer Dulos disappeared and her husband and his mistress were implicated in her murder. —John Cassidy, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English implicaten "to convey (a truth) in a fable," borrowed from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre "to fold about itself, entwine, entangle, involve, embroil" (Medieval Latin also, "to imply, mean by implication"), from im- im- + plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Note: See also imply, employ entry 1.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for implicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• adsorbate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate

Kids Definition

implicate

verb

im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt 

implicated; implicating

: to show to be connected or involved

evidence that implicates him in the robbery

Legal Definition

implicate

transitive verb

im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt 

implicated; implicating

1

: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference

firing the federal employee because of her protest implicates the First Amendment

2

: to connect to a crime