Incriminate

/ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪt/

Meaning & Definition

verb

To charge someone with a crime or to involve them in a crime.

The evidence presented at the trial was sufficient to incriminate the suspect.

To suggest that someone has committed a crime.

Her testimony could potentially incriminate her accomplices.

To imply guilt or responsibility for a wrongdoing.

He was worried that the documents would incriminate him in the fraud scheme.

To cause (someone) to appear guilty of a crime.

The investigation aimed to gather facts that would not incriminate innocent people.

The word 'incriminate' comes from the Latin 'incriminare', meaning 'to accuse or blame'.

self-incrimination

The act of implicating oneself in a crime or wrongdoing.

to incriminate oneself

To provide evidence or testimony that makes oneself appear guilty.

implicate

to show that someone is involved in a crime.

charge

to formally accuse someone of a crime.

Getting someone in trouble.

Don't incriminate me by telling the cops I was there.

Throwing someone under the bus.

He totally incriminated his buddy to save himself.