implicate

verb

im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce implicate (audio)
implicated; implicating

transitive verb

1
a
: to bring into intimate or incriminating connection
evidence that implicates him in the bombing
b
: to involve in the nature or operation of something
2
: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply
3
archaic : to fold or twist together : entwine

Examples of implicate in a Sentence

His business partner was implicated in the theft. the implicated vines did form a most restful garden bower
Recent Examples on the Web But Lula has struggled to gain the loyalty of the military, which was implicated in the storming of Brazil’s capital in January 2023. Ana Ionova, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Mar. 2024 But shifts in sea and air temperatures, winds, and ocean currents are likely implicated, with both natural variability and human-caused climate change in play. Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 This refashioned narrative threatens to implicate the credibility of some of the most powerful legal officials in the country. Jane Mayer, The New Yorker, 29 Feb. 2024 And studies in animals and in people with epilepsy (in particular, individuals who had electrodes implanted in their brains to detect seizures) had implicated other sleep-time rhythms in memory processes. Ingrid Wickelgren, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 This project of philosophical investigation implicated me in a life style of apparent leisure. Joseph O’Neill, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2024 Boeing reached that deal with the Justice Department in 2021 over employees’ concealment of a critical safety flaw implicated in crashes that killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Lori Aratani, Washington Post, 9 Mar. 2024 But the overall effect of the bill would still implicate Americans’ free speech rights, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Brian Fung, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Changes needed | Mental health | Ensure aid | People of faith | Restoring sanity | Reform court But the overall effect of the bill would still implicate Americans’ free speech rights, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'implicate.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English implicaten "to convey (a truth) in a fable," borrowed from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre "to fold about itself, entwine, entangle, involve, embroil" (Medieval Latin also, "to imply, mean by implication"), from im- im- + plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3

Note: See also imply, employ entry 1.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of implicate was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near implicate

Cite this Entry

“Implicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implicate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

implicate

verb
im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce implicate (audio)
implicated; implicating
: to show to be connected or involved
evidence that implicates him in the robbery

Legal Definition

implicate

transitive verb
im·​pli·​cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt How to pronounce implicate (audio)
implicated; implicating
1
: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference
firing the federal employee because of her protest implicates the First Amendment
2
: to connect to a crime

More from Merriam-Webster on implicate

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