self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən 

: incrimination of oneself

specifically : the giving of testimony which will likely subject one to criminal prosecution

Examples of self-incrimination in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While the target of a grand jury can endeavor to present witnesses, including themselves, that generally never happens because of the danger of self-incrimination. —John E. Jones Iii, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2026

The sorting of documents came as Epstein’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination while testifying virtually before the House Oversight Committee. —Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 10 Feb. 2026

Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime companion Ghislaine Maxwell declined to answer lawmakers’ questions and invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination during a deposition before the House Oversight Committee on Monday. —Jeremy Roebuck, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026

The suspect has thus far invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and refused to speak with detectives. —Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 21 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for self-incrimination

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

Kids Definition

self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion

ˌsel-fin-ˌkrim-ə-ˈnā-shən

: incrimination of oneself

especially : the giving of evidence or answering of questions which would leave one liable to be tried for a crime

Legal Definition

self-incrimination

noun

self-in·​crim·​i·​na·​tion

ˌself-in-ˌkri-mə-ˈnā-shən

: incrimination of and by oneself especially through testimony see also privilege against self-incrimination at privilege