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

Civil litigation may be delayed if key witnesses invoke their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination. — Alejandro Avila Outkick, FOXNews.com, 11 Sep. 2026

McColgan was called as a witness in Brunner's trial, but asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and did not provide testimony. — Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Fauci exercised his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times, rather than answer questions about his role in the government’s pandemic response. — John C. Besley, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026

ActBlue cofounder Matt DeBergalis invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination multiple times on Thursday during a closed-door deposition in a congressional investigation of the Democratic fundraising platform. — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 20 Aug. 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