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

Scientists have discovered a gene that is implicated in the disease.

2

: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply

Firing a government employee because of her protest implicates the First Amendment.

3

archaic : to fold or twist together : entwine

Synonyms of implicate

• weave
• intertwine
• twist
• entwine

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

This became public in 2019, when news of the college admissions scandal broke, implicating her parents. — Lori A Bashian, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026

Muhammad was implicated by a co-defendant, according to court records. — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 11 Nov. 2026

Research has increasingly implicated microglia in how the brain responds to this damage. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Nov. 2026

While nearly 40% of South Africa’s population of 62 million live under the lower poverty line, according to the World Bank, ANC officials and allies have been implicated in enriching themselves in a succession of corruption scandals. — Gerald Imray, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2026

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

Rhymes for implicate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

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