implicated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'implicated' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to refer to an indication or suggestion that someone or something is involved in a particular situation or has a particular characteristic: "The investigation implicated several company executives for their roles in the misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Articles on the New York Times from 24 March and 21 June 2013, gave further details and an article in the London Review of Books from 14 April 12014, implicated MI6 in a "rat line" for the transfer of arms from Libya.

The Guardian

The psychotherapist and author is big on Twitter and uses several services run by companies implicated in the Snowden revelations.

The Guardian

A UN inquiry has found "massive evidence" that the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, is implicated in war crimes as the latest reported death toll in the country's civil war reached 126,000.

The Guardian

"It's been implicated in an animal defending its babies.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was detained for a story he wrote in 2010, based on (literally) a suitcase of military documents, handed over to him by a whistleblowing officer, which implicated senior commanders in an attempted coup d'état, codenamed Sledgehammer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Veteran Indian militants who have found a safe haven in the neighbouring country are implicated in some attacks as well.

The Guardian

Smoking remains the biggest preventable cause of cancer and is implicated in almost one in five cases.

The Guardian

The book also claims that senior Buenos Aires clerics were implicated in an attempt by the navy to hide political prisoners from human rights inspectors.

The Guardian

At the same time five players —including State of Origin representatives Dave Taylor and the ever reliable Greg Bird— were stood down after being implicated in the coke scandal and they'll face court this week.

The Guardian - Sport

20 November 2007: Lumumba, implicated by Knox, is released for lack of evidence.

The Guardian

Salazar, who lists Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah among his athletes, was implicated in a BBC Panorama documentary along with the United States runner Galen Rupp.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "implicated", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature of the involvement or connection. It often carries a negative connotation, so consider whether a more neutral term like "involved" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "implicated" when the connection is tenuous or based on weak evidence. Using a stronger term can create a misleading impression of guilt or responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "implicated" is as a past participle of the verb "implicate." It is used adjectivally to describe someone or something as being involved or connected, typically in a negative or criminal context. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Opinion

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "implicated" functions as a past participle indicating involvement, often in a negative context. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests a connection to something, carrying a neutral to formal tone, commonly used in News & Media. When using "implicated", consider the potential negative connotation and whether a more neutral term like "involved" may be more fitting. The numerous examples curated by Ludwig demonstrate its usage across varied domains, highlighting its role in signaling connection in legal, ethical, or investigative contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

involved

Indicates participation or connection, similar to "implicated" but often less strongly associated with wrongdoing.

linked to

Suggests a connection or association, often used in contexts where a relationship is being investigated.

connected to

Similar to "linked to", suggesting a relationship or tie between two or more things.

tied to

Suggests a strong and direct connection, often implying dependence or causality.

associated with

Implies a connection, but can be weaker than "implicated", simply indicating a relationship or correlation.

suspected of

Indicates that someone is believed to be involved, often without concrete proof.

believed to be connected to

Suggests an unconfirmed connection based on some evidence or belief.

alleged to be involved in

Formally states that someone is said to be involved, but without confirmation.

embroiled in

Similar to "entangled in", suggesting deep and often unwilling involvement in a problematic situation.

entangled in

Indicates a complex or difficult involvement, often suggesting being trapped or caught up.

FAQs

How is "implicated" used in a sentence?

"Implicated" is typically used to suggest someone or something is involved in a crime, scandal, or other negative situation. For example, "Several executives were implicated in the fraud case."

What words can I use instead of "implicated"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "involved", "linked to", or "associated with".

Is it correct to say someone is "implicated in a success"?

While grammatically correct, "implicated" typically carries a negative connotation, making it unusual to use in the context of success. Terms like "involved in" or "instrumental to" are more appropriate.

What's the difference between "implicated" and "accused"?

"Implicated" suggests involvement based on circumstantial evidence or association, whereas "accused" means someone has been formally charged with a crime or wrongdoing. You can be implicated without being formally accused.