self-incrimination
noun
self-in·crim·i·na·tion
ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən 
: incrimination of oneself
specifically
: the giving of testimony which will likely subject one to criminal prosecution
Examples of self-incrimination in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Fifth Amendment protects against self-incrimination.
—
Brian Walker, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Several courts have ruled that, even in instances where police have a warrant to search someone’s phone, the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination means investigators can’t compel a suspect to tell them their phone password.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2024
Brendan Banfield was called to testify at a court hearing this year but mostly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when prosecutors questioned him, NBC Washington reported.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2024
Garrity rights protect public employees from being compelled to self-incrimination during investigative interviews conducted by their employers, according to a Tennessee attorney general legal document.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-incrimination 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Brian Walker, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
Several courts have ruled that, even in instances where police have a warrant to search someone’s phone, the Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination means investigators can’t compel a suspect to tell them their phone password.
—Gaby Del Valle, The Verge, 2 Oct. 2024
Brendan Banfield was called to testify at a court hearing this year but mostly invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when prosecutors questioned him, NBC Washington reported.
—Tim Stelloh, NBC News, 18 Sep. 2024
Garrity rights protect public employees from being compelled to self-incrimination during investigative interviews conducted by their employers, according to a Tennessee attorney general legal document.
—Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 16 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for self-incrimination
Dictionary Entries Near self-incrimination
Cite this Entry
“Self-incrimination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/self-incrimination. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share