incriminate

verb

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in·crim·i·nate | \ in-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt

incriminated; incriminating

Definition of incriminate

transitive verb

: to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime or fault

Other Words from incriminate Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about incriminate

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Examples of incriminate in a Sentence

Material found at the crime scene incriminates the defendant. in exchange for a reduced sentence, the thief agreed to incriminate his accomplice

Recent Examples on the Web In the impeachment proceedings against Presidents Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton, voters could hear the chief executives’ own voices — on tape — incriminate themselves. — Joe Garofoli, SFChronicle.com, "Bombshell? What bombshell? GOP lawmakers stick by Trump," 20 Nov. 2019 Proffer agreements allow defendants and suspects to provide information to prosecutors without incriminating themselves. — Adam Reiss, NBC News, "Source: Michael Cohen met with prosecutors investigating Trump Organization," 11 Sep. 2019 West’s attorney opted against playing the tape at sentencing because the judge would have allowed other recordings in which Martin incriminated West, court records show. — Washington Post, "Tennessee inmate executed in electric chair for killings," 15 Aug. 2019 West's attorney opted against playing the tape at sentencing because the judge would have allowed other recordings in which Martin incriminated West, court records show. — CBS News, "Tennessee executes inmate in electric chair for killing mother and daughter in 1986," 15 Aug. 2019 If the evidence is incriminating enough, standing by Trump could jeopardize support from moderate voters come the November 2020 general election. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "GOP on political tightrope as impeachment talk heats up," 25 Sep. 2019 The prosecution said Gallagher's own text messages and photos incriminated him. — Julie Watson, chicagotribune.com, "Military jury in San Diego finds Navy SEAL not guilty of committing murder in Iraq," 2 July 2019 Shorey’s depiction of the vampy ballerina is a scream, especially her flamboyantly self-incriminating musical number. — Sam Hurwitt, The Mercury News, "Review: ‘Murder for Two’ gets good and silly in Walnut Creek," 11 Sep. 2019 As former special counsel Robert Mueller testified before Congress on Wednesday, Democrats looked for new details to incriminate President Donald Trump and Republicans looked for ways to discredit Mueller's investigation. — Jaclyn Gallucci, Fortune, "How 2020 Presidential Candidates Are Responding to Robert Mueller’s Testimony," 24 July 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'incriminate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

29 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Incriminate.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incriminate?pronunciation&lang=en_us&dir=i&file=incrim01. Accessed 11 December 2019.

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More Definitions for incriminate

incriminate

verb

English Language Learners Definition of incriminate

: to cause (someone) to appear guilty of or responsible for something (such as a crime)

See the full definition for incriminate in the English Language Learners Dictionary

incriminate

verb

in·crim·i·nate | \ in-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt

incriminated; incriminating

Kids Definition of incriminate

: to make (someone) appear guilty of or responsible for something … the story of how it had fallen into his hands incriminated not only him, but his own father …— J. K. Rowling, Goblet of Fire

incriminate

transitive verb

in·crim·i·nate | \ in-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt

incriminated; incriminating

Legal Definition of incriminate

1 : to charge with involvement in a crime he was incriminated in the conspiracy

2 : to suggest or show involvement of in a crime among the evidence that incriminated him was a box of trigger devices — see also self-incrimination