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

One wounded witness was jailed after failing to appear in court, while another initially invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination before a judge granted him immunity and ordered him to testify. — Daniel Hunt, Sacbee.com, 3 Oct. 2026

It was then revealed that Thompson had Fifth Amendment concerns over self-incrimination. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 2 Oct. 2026

When Meyer was asked by SEC staff about the $10,000 transfer from the fund account, Meyer invoked his Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination, the SEC said. — Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026

Civil litigation may be delayed if key witnesses invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 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