implicate

[im-pli-keyt]

verb (used with object)

implicated, implicating 

1. to show to be also involved, usually in an incriminating manner.

   to be implicated in a crime.

2. to imply as a necessary circumstance, or as something to be inferred or understood.

3. to connect or relate to intimately; affect as a consequence.

   The malfunctioning of one part of the nervous system implicates another part.

4. Archaic.,  to fold or twist together; intertwine; interlace.

implicate

/ ˈɪmplɪˌkeɪt, ɪmˈplɪkətɪv /

verb

1. to show to be involved, esp in a crime

2. to involve as a necessary inference; imply

   his protest implicated censure by the authorities

3. to affect intimately

   this news implicates my decision

4. rare,  to intertwine or entangle

Other Word Forms

• implicatively adverb
• implicative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicate¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre “to interweave,” equivalent to im- im- ¹ + plicā(re) “to fold” + -ātus -ate ¹; ply ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of implicate¹

C16: from Latin implicāre to involve, from _im- + plicāre to fold

Synonym Study

See involve.

Example Sentences

He said: "Pausing new public funding to arms companies in Scotland implicated in this devastation is a vital act of solidarity. It must be implemented quickly and robustly."

From BBC

Both the elder Bush and Reagan were implicated in the Iran-Contra scandal, which was a direct usurpation of congressional authority.

From Salon

Active Club members have been implicated in orchestrating and distributing neo-Nazi recruitment videos and manifestos.

From Salon

The police kept Knox awake for days and coerced her into implicating the man she worked for, bar owner Patrick Lumumba, in Kercher’s murder.

From Salon

Fofana was later sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 22 years, while other accomplices implicated in the crime received lesser sentences.

From BBC

Related Words

• accuse 
• affect 
• blame 
• charge 
• cite 
• embroil 
• entangle 
• incriminate 
• suggest