implicate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'implicate' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this word when referring to something, someone or oneself being associated with or involved in an action, typically one that is criminal or wrong in some way. For example, "The police believe he is somehow implicate in the robbery."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Already jailed on a drug charge, Johnson could either confess to a murder and implicate her ex-boyfriend in it – or she would never see her children again.

The Guardian

But while Zuley's brutal interrogation techniques – prolonged shackling, family threats, demands on suspects to implicate themselves and others – would get supercharged at Guantánamo for the war on terrorism, a Guardian investigation has uncovered that Zuley used similar tactics for years, behind closed police-station doors, on Chicago's poor and non-white citizens.

The Guardian

He could have involved me in the participatory activity of holomovement in his understanding of the implicate order of phenomena.

The Guardian - Arts

The techniques – prolonged shackling, family threats, demands to implicate others – eventually broke Slahi.

The Guardian

By accusing the group of trying to change policy, prosecutors were forced to implicate the state in the use of torture, when it is in fact outlawed in Russia.

The Guardian

Senussi will probably try to implicate other former regime loyalists, some still in Libya, many in exile elsewhere in North Africa.

The Guardian

Pressure on suspects to implicate themselves and others.

The Guardian

A woman still in an Illinois prison who insists on her innocence, Benita Johnson, recalled Zuley and his team handcuffing her to a wall for over 24 hours in 1995 until she would implicate herself and her ex-boyfriend in a murder, while Zuley threatened her with never seeing her children again.

The Guardian

In addition, Mr Singh's staff say they have lost files that opponents claim would implicate people at the heart of government in a massive coal scam.Letting Mr Singh stew, Congress leaders are pushing forward Rahul Gandhi (pictured left) as an anti-corruption figure.

The Economist

And despite a growing defence-procurement scandal, the DPJ has failed to implicate LDP politicians even Fukushiro Nukaga, now finance minister, to whom scandals usually stick like a faithful dog.

The Economist

His erstwhile friends are less concerned with his soul than with whom he will implicate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "implicate" when you want to suggest someone's involvement in a crime or wrongdoing without definitively stating their guilt. It implies a connection but allows for ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "implicate" when you intend to directly accuse someone of a crime. "Implicate" suggests involvement, while stronger verbs like "accuse" or "indict" denote a formal charge.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "implicate" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating the person or thing being connected to something else, typically a crime or wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct to use "implicate" when associating someone with an unfavorable or criminal situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "implicate" is a transitive verb used to suggest involvement in a crime or wrongdoing. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. Usage implies association with a negative action, but without a definitive accusation. When using "implicate", be aware that it suggests involvement, which is distinct from stronger verbs such as "accuse". Remember to consider the context and intention carefully, opting for more definitive language when the situation demands it. As seen in the Ludwig examples, the term is often used in legal and investigative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incriminate

This term carries a stronger connotation of accusation and guilt than "implicate".

involve in

This phrase indicates participation or inclusion, which may or may not imply culpability, unlike "implicate".

entangle in

This suggests a complicated or difficult involvement, not necessarily criminal, unlike "implicate".

embroil in

Suggests a deep and complex involvement, but lacks the direct accusation associated with "implicate".

connect to

This phrase signifies a general link or association, lacking the potentially negative connotation of "implicate".

draw into

This implies luring or persuading someone into a situation, which is different from directly implicating them in wrongdoing.

link to

A more neutral term indicating a connection or relationship, without any presumption of guilt associated with "implicate".

associate with

This term denotes a connection, but does not necessarily suggest wrongdoing like "implicate".

associate

This is a general term for linking things together, lacking the specific negative implication of guilt.

compromise

This implies placing someone in a vulnerable position, often through their own actions, distinct from directly "implicating" them.

FAQs

How can I use "implicate" in a sentence?

You can use "implicate" to suggest someone's involvement in a crime or negative situation. For example, "The evidence seems to "connect to" several high-ranking officials."

What are some alternatives to using "implicate"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "involve in", ""connect to"", or "incriminate".

Is it correct to say someone is "implicated" in a crime before they are formally charged?

Yes, "implicate" suggests involvement but doesn't require formal charges. It's used when there's suspicion or evidence linking someone to an activity, but not enough for a conviction. However, use caution, as this can be seen as accusatory.

What is the difference between "implicate" and "associate"?

"Implicate" suggests a connection to something negative or criminal, while "associate" simply means to connect or link without any inherent negative connotation.