complicit with

USAGE SUMMARY

"complicit with" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a person or party's involvement in an illegal act or wrongdoing. For example, "The manager was complicit with the accountants in using illegal accounting practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're complicit with a well-recognized nightmare".

The New Yorker

According to Markham, Nabulsi was complicit with Saddam.

The New Yorker

Snow's argument is complicit with these precepts in another sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

And therefore she was complicit with the thing, and it was now inside her.

The New Yorker

By then we feel both locked into, and complicit with, this portrait of a warping relationship.

The New York Times

The hierarchy of Argentina's Catholic Church was complicit with the military genocide.

The New York Times

There is a subtext of violation to these images, and the viewer becomes complicit with it.

The New Yorker

Are these a comment on surveillance culture or complicit with it?

Independent

And we don't want anyone to think we are complicit with the hurdles being thrown up.

The Guardian

The army may or may not have been complicit with opposition leaders in easing him out.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Governess tells Mrs Grose that they are complicit with Quint and Jessel.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "complicit with", ensure the context clearly establishes the shared responsibility or involvement in a wrongdoing. Avoid using it loosely to simply mean 'associated with' without the negative connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "complicit with" when you simply mean 'associated with' or 'involved in'. "Complicit with" carries a strong connotation of shared guilt or responsibility for wrongdoing. If there's no implication of wrongdoing, choose a more neutral term.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complicit with" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is involved in or shares responsibility for a wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI describes, it's used to describe a person or party's involvement in an illegal act or wrongdoing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complicit with" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote shared responsibility for wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively describes a person or entity's involvement in illegal or unethical activities. Predominantly found in News & Media, as indicated by Ludwig's examples, the expression carries a neutral tone while conveying strong criticism or accusation. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly demonstrates involvement in unethical actions and consider alternatives like "involved in" or "in league with" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complicit in

Similar in meaning, but it uses the preposition "in" rather than "with", which can slightly alter the nuance depending on the context.

an accomplice to

Similar to "accessory to", this term implies knowing assistance in a crime, carrying a stronger legal and moral weight than "complicit with".

an accessory to

This term has a legal connotation, referring to someone who assists in a crime without being the primary perpetrator, making it more specific than "complicit with".

in collusion with

This implies a secret agreement or conspiracy, suggesting a more active and intentional involvement than simply being "complicit with".

in league with

This suggests a deliberate alliance, often secret or illicit, indicating a stronger and more intentional connection than "complicit with".

implicated in

This suggests being connected to or involved in something negative, often a crime or scandal, without necessarily implying direct guilt, differing from the more direct implication of "complicit with".

involved in

This alternative denotes a more general participation, without necessarily implying guilt or wrongdoing, unlike "complicit with".

a party to

This phrase indicates involvement in an agreement or action, often with a formal or legal implication, which may not always be the case with "complicit with".

a contributor to

This suggests playing a role in bringing about a particular outcome, often negative, with less emphasis on moral culpability than "complicit with".

associated with

This is a more general term for being linked to something, without necessarily implying any wrongdoing or guilt, unlike "complicit with".

FAQs

How is "complicit with" different from "involved with"?

"Involved with" suggests a general connection or participation, while "complicit with" implies a shared responsibility or guilt in a wrongdoing. "Complicit with" carries a negative connotation that "involved with" may not.

What are some alternatives to "complicit with"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "involved in", "in league with", or "an accessory to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "complicit in" instead of "complicit with"?

Both "complicit with" and "complicit in" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although some may argue for subtle differences in nuance.

How to use "complicit with" in a sentence?

Use "complicit with" to describe someone or something that is knowingly involved in illegal or unethical activities. For example, "The government was accused of being "complicit with" the corporation's environmental violations."