incriminate

verb

in·​crim·​i·​nate in-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce incriminate (audio)
incriminated; incriminating

transitive verb

: to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime or fault
incrimination noun
incriminatory adjective

Did you know?

Testimony may incriminate a suspect by placing him at the scene of a crime, and incriminating evidence is the kind that strongly links him to it. But the word doesn't always refer to an actual crime. We can say, for instance, that a virus has been incriminated as the cause of a type of cancer, or that video games have been incriminated in the decline in study skills among young people.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
In these chapters, Professor Gibson explains the fundamentals of forensic science and explains how plants can leave identifiable and incriminating trace evidence. Grrlscientist, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Police found incriminating items in the car, including guns, wigs, a date rape drug, a notebook detailing their plans and several personal items belonging to Silverman, including her keys and a forged deed to her townhouse. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Nov. 2024 The incriminating statements that Allen made while awaiting trial at Westville Correctional Facility ― and Gull's decision to allow them to be presented to jurors ― also could be raised on appeal, experts say. Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Nov. 2024 As the details are sorted out, Justin has to figure out how to keep the jury from convicting an innocent man — most of them just want to get home for dinner — while not incriminating himself. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 27 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for incriminate 

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin incriminatus, past participle of incriminare, from Latin in- + crimin-, crimen crime

First Known Use

circa 1736, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incriminate was circa 1736

Dictionary Entries Near incriminate

Cite this Entry

“Incriminate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incriminate. Accessed 4 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

incriminate

verb
in·​crim·​i·​nate in-ˈkrim-ə-ˌnāt How to pronounce incriminate (audio)
incriminated; incriminating
1
: to charge with or show evidence or proof of involvement in a crime or fault : accuse
2
: to cause to appear guilty of or responsible for something
evidence that tends to incriminate the defendant
incrimination noun
incriminatory adjective

Legal Definition

incriminate

transitive verb
in·​crim·​i·​nate in-ˈkri-mə-ˌnāt How to pronounce incriminate (audio)
incriminated; incriminating
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
incrimination noun
incriminatory adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on incriminate

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