Implicate Meaning
/ˈɪmplɪkeɪt/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
verbTo show to be connected or involved in an unfavorable or criminal way.
verbTo imply, to have as a necessary consequence or accompaniment.
Sentence Examples
If you implicate me, I'm warning you, I won't go down alone.
Tom doesn't want to implicate himself.
He refused to say anything that might implicate his friends.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found evidence that seemed to ____ the suspect in the robbery.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Evidence found at the scene began to ____ several other individuals besides the primary suspect.
Word Origin & History
First attested in the 15th century, in Middle English; inherited from Middle English implicaten (poorly attested), from implicat(e) (“wrapped, entwined; involved, connected (with)”, possibly also used as the past participle of implicaten) + -en (verb-forming suffix), borrowed from Latin implicātus, perfect passive participle of implicō (“to entangle, involve”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from plicō (“to fold”). Doublet of imply and employ.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"But it is of no use talking now; the servants will soon be stirring, and it would be rather awkward to be found here." "For you, perhaps, madam," sneered Sir George. "Rather for yourself," replied she, with the greatest composure; "you might be implicated in the charge of murder.""
— 1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], “The Assignation”, in Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 256:
"I shall cancel, without further provocation, the next lecture engagement that is implicated with a peep o' day train."
— 1879, Robert J[ones] Burdette, Hawk-Eyes, New York, N.Y.: G. W. Carleton & Co., Publishers, page 137:
"Mostly, the microbiome is beneficial. It helps with digestion and enables people to extract a lot more calories from their food than would otherwise be possible. Research over the past few years, however, has implicated it in diseases from atherosclerosis to asthma to autism."
— 2013 June 29, “A punch in the gut”, in The Economist, volume 407, number 8842, London: The Economist Group, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 27 Jul 2023, pages 72–73:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The detective found evidence that seemed to ____ the suspect in the robbery.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Evidence found at the scene began to ____ several other individuals besides the primary suspect.