inculpate

verb

in·​cul·​pate in-ˈkəl-ˌpāt How to pronounce inculpate (audio)
ˈin-(ˌ)kəl-
inculpated; inculpating

transitive verb

: to impute guilt to : incriminate
inculpation noun

Did you know?

Inculpate is the opposite of exculpate, just as inculpatory evidence is the opposite of exculpatory evidence. By inculpating someone else, an accused person may manage to exculpate himself. Through plea bargaining, the prosecution can often encourage a defendant to inculpate his friends in return for a lighter sentence.

Examples of inculpate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Over the years, Pearcy has given numerous different accounts of the crime — at times blaming Dailey and other times inculpating himself. Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 13 Feb. 2012

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'inculpate.' 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

Late Latin inculpatus, from Latin in- + culpatus, past participle of culpare to blame, from culpa guilt

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inculpate was in 1799

Dictionary Entries Near inculpate

Cite this Entry

“Inculpate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inculpate. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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