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

When that technology was released in 2021, the easy-to-hide tracking devices were soon implicated in stalking cases. — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 21 Aug. 2026

The other man, George Lowden, took a plea deal and initially implicated Smith, although Lowden later said authorities had beaten him into making the statement and refused to testify against Smith at trial. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026

The charges follow last month’s announcement of Liberia’s largest-ever drug seizure — tons of cocaine worth about $336 million, which authorities said implicated senior police officials. — ABC News, 19 Aug. 2026

While their motives were never defined for certain, the accepted belief was the tragedy was tied to their involvement in the Teapot Dome political corruption scandal and Plunkett’s looming testimony that could’ve implicated the Dohenys. — Amanda Karkoutly, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 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