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

According to authorities, Redd was implicated during an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Waterbury Safe Streets Gang Task Force and other law enforcement agencies into two drug trafficking organizations based in Waterbury. — Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 20 June 2026

Just over two weeks later, Microsoft’s Copilot Enterprise chatbot has been implicated in a case with similar implications, highlighting once again how relying on AI for cybersecurity tasks can easily expose sensitive customer data. — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 17 June 2026

Some of the land involved is traceable to Albanian-American businessman Artur Shehu, who has been implicated in several court cases related to these properties. — Marzio G. Mian, Vanity Fair, 16 June 2026

While Beccera’s primary opponents attempted to use the Williamson prosecution to impact him, the Democrat argued that he had not been implicated in the case. — Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 16 June 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