Words / C1

in-KRIM-in-ayt/ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪt/

To incriminate is to make someone appear guilty of a crime or fault: incriminate a colleague, self-incriminate. Guilt (already in the dictionary) is the noun; implicate is a close twin. A leaked draft is still an embargo risk.

Meaning

To make someone appear guilty of a crime or fault.

Examples

• “A leaked draft may incriminate the officer who named the grade; keep the embargo.”
• “Implicate is the close twin. Accuse is more direct. A draft is a file. Midnight is the rule. Hold the paper; then name the grade when the embargo lifts.”

Good to know

Make someone look guilty. Close: implicate. A leak ≠ a lifted embargo.

Near in meaning

implicate, accuse, blame

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