complicity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complicity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing. Example: "The investigation revealed his complicity in the fraudulent scheme, leading to serious legal consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When it came, the charge of complicity with David Cameron was all the more painful because it was true.

The Guardian - Opinion

Her grandson had been swallowed by the complicity and silence that surrounded so many of the regime's horrendous crimes.

The Guardian

His comments follow allegations of British involvement in the torture of British citizens in Egypt and Bangladesh, and growing evidence pointing to MI5's complicity in the torture of British citizens and others in Pakistan.

The Guardian

Many MPs' inboxes are aflame with demands that Israel be unequivocally denounced, often with the assertion that silence is complicity in child-murder, sometimes with threats of retribution.

The Guardian - Opinion

Pro-Palestinian activists began to put pressure on Oxfam and Johansson to make a simple choice – either she break her contract with SodaStream or Oxfam would have to cut itself off from her complicity with settlement activity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Poles felt that that wording implied Polish complicity, and Obama later expressed his "regret".

The Guardian

In the US, the telecommunications companies have legal immunity for their complicity, thus easing the way further.

The Guardian - Tech

The Australian government recently successfully blocked the release of sensitive documents that would have revealed the complicity of Indonesian forces in massive abuses during their occupation of East Timor.

The Guardian - Opinion

But No 10 aides said ministers including Cameron only knew individuals were being challenged about tax evasion at the bank, but were not aware of the bank's complicity in wrongdoing when reports emerged at the weekend.

The Guardian

Silence is complicity to this government's decision to allow this to happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dank has been found guilty of 10 charges by the tribunal, including the trafficking, attempting to traffic and complicity in matters related to prohibited substances Hexarelin, Humanofort - Insulin Growth Factor 1, Insulin Growth Factor 2, Mechano Growth Factor (MGF), Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Follistatin and Thymosin Beta 4, CJC-1295, GHRP6 and SARMS.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complicity" to specifically denote involvement in a wrongful act where responsibility is shared, making sure to clearly indicate the nature of the wrongdoing.

Common error

Avoid using "complicity" when someone is merely present at the scene of a crime or unethical act. "Complicity" implies active or knowing participation, not just passive observation.

Linguistic Context

Complicity functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state of being involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing. This aligns with Ludwig's assessment that the term is grammatically correct and usable. The numerous examples available through Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "complicity" is a noun signifying involvement in wrongdoing, often carrying legal and ethical implications. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, predominantly in news and formal contexts. When using this term, clarity and precision are crucial to accurately convey the degree and nature of involvement. Be mindful to differentiate it from mere presence or general association. The numerous examples available through Ludwig provide valuable insight into its usage across various scenarios, solidifying its place as an important concept in discussions of accountability and ethical behavior.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

collusion

Implies secret cooperation or conspiracy, often in illegal or unethical activities.

aiding and abetting

Involves assisting or encouraging someone else to commit a crime.

connivance

Suggests tacit encouragement or acceptance of wrongdoing, often by failing to intervene.

partnership in crime

Directly indicates an agreement to commit a crime together.

accessory to the fact

Refers to someone who helps commit a crime without being present during its commission.

involvement

A more general term indicating participation in an activity, which may or may not be negative.

knowing participation

Explicitly indicates awareness and active engagement in an activity, often with negative implications.

collaboration

Working together on a shared goal, which can be either positive or negative depending on the context.

association

A connection or relationship; it could imply involvement without direct participation.

criminal intent

Focuses on the mental state of intending to commit a crime, even if the action is not fully carried out.

FAQs

How to use "complicity" in a sentence?

Use "complicity" to describe the state of being involved as a partner or accomplice in a crime or other wrongdoing. For example, "The investigation revealed his "complicity" in the fraud."

What can I say instead of "complicity"?

You can use alternatives like "collusion", "connivance", or "involvement" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "complicity" or "accomplishment"?

"Complicity" refers to involvement in wrongdoing, while "accomplishment" refers to a successful achievement. The correct word depends entirely on the context; they are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "complicity" and "consent"?

"Complicity" implies active or knowing participation in wrongdoing, while "consent" means agreement or permission for something to happen. They have distinct meanings and applications.