implicate

verb

im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce implicate (audio)
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

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 The reports implicated three CACI employees in connection with wrongdoing at Abu Ghraib. Mattathias Schwartz, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2024 Her defense team implicated Baldwin, the film's star and executive producer, arguing that the negligence on set extended beyond the armorer. Shania Russell, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2024 Even when the topic was as macabre and polarizing as that of a former American golden boy implicated in the grisliest of crimes. Geoff Edgers, Washington Post, 12 Apr. 2024 The verdict implicated Iran’s foreign minister, intelligence minister, then-President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 12 Apr. 2024 Seinfeld fans who hated this conclusion felt implicated in David's condemnation of his characters. Judy Berman, TIME, 8 Apr. 2024 The indictment against them did not in any way implicate Trump — who is again seeking the presidency this year — or Trump Media & Technology Group, which owns his Truth Social platform and began trading on the Nasdaq stock market on March 26. Larry Neumeister, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024 In 2018, Cohen admitted to paying Daniels $130,000 — pleading guilty to eight counts including criminal tax evasion and campaign finance violations — and implicated Trump. Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 15 Apr. 2024 Siblings of children with ADHD are at a higher risk, but infections, prenatal smoking exposure, deficiencies, and other environmental issues are implicated [14]. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'implicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of implicate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near implicate

Cite this Entry

“Implicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implicate. Accessed 1 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

implicate

verb
im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce implicate (audio)
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 How to pronounce implicate (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on implicate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!