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

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

Of the antimalarials commonly implicated, Plaquenil (hydroxychloroquine) and chloroquine pose the greatest risk. —Maureen Salamon, Verywell Health, 10 Apr. 2024

Trump, who was not implicated in the insider-trading case, regularly uses Truth Social to defend himself and attack his political foes. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024

The production is designed to involve, and to implicate, the audience. —Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2024

Trump's team has also left the door open to exploring a bankruptcy for corporate entities implicated in the case, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. —Democrat-Gazette Staff From Wire Reports, arkansasonline.com, 19 Mar. 2024

Blocking the platform implicates the speech rights of both TikTok itself and the millions of Americans who use the platform every day. —Daniel Lyons, TIME, 3 Apr. 2024

Defense attorney Timothy Havis told jurors that McCallum didn't have a role in the killing but was lured into taking a ride to get rid of the remains. McCallum, however, was implicated at trial by Christopher McMillan, a witness who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and cooperated with police. —CBS News, 3 Apr. 2024

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

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