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 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 And this produced endless, endless conversations, most of which was complete drivel, but occasional pieces of which were important and certainly ultimately implicated Lefty Ruggiero in his part in this extortion. Journal Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2024 Matt agrees to trick Hendee into implicating himself. Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2024 Yet male leadership writ large is not implicated when a man is sent packing. Lila MacLellan, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2024 The line of planes was grounded for nearly two years as Boeing and regulators addressed a software issue that was ultimately implicated in both disasters. Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 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 18 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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