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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
During the investigation into Trump’s classified documents, Patel refused to testify against Trump before a federal grand jury, asserting his fifth amendment right against self-incrimination.
—Rebecca Schneid, TIME, 1 Dec. 2024
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
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Word History
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of self-incrimination was
in 1848
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 23 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
self-incrimination
noun
self-in·crim·i·na·tion
ˌsel-fin-ˌkrim-ə-ˈnā-shən
: incrimination of oneself
especially
: the giving of evidence or answering of questions which would leave one liable to be tried for a crime
Legal Definition
self-incrimination
noun
self-in·crim·i·na·tion
ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən
: incrimination of and by oneself especially through testimony see also privilege against self-incrimination at privilege
More from Merriam-Webster on self-incrimination
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for self-incrimination
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about self-incrimination
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