What does incriminate mean?
Incriminate is a formal transitive verb meaning to make a person appear guilty of a crime or other wrongdoing. It is commonly used when discussing evidence, testimony, documents, or circumstances that implicate someone. The verb can also be used reflexively, as in incriminate oneself, to describe someone revealing information that makes them vulnerable to criminal proceedings or punishment. In general use, incriminate is stronger and more specifically criminal than implicate, which can mean merely connecting someone with an event or questionable conduct. The word is especially common in legal reporting, investigations, and courtroom contexts, though it also appears in journalism and political discussion. Its standard inflectional forms include incriminated, incriminating, and incrimination.
verbTo present evidence or information that makes someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. It can also mean to implicate oneself by admitting or revealing conduct that could lead to punishment.
- To make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing, especially through evidence or testimony.
- To implicate oneself by revealing conduct or information that could lead to punishment.
"The witness refused to incriminate himself by revealing what he had witnessed."
"The forensic evidence appeared to incriminate the driver."
"She would not incriminate her friend by answering the question directly."
The word incriminate carries its meaning in its sound: to make someone appear criminally guilty, often by revealing evidence that implicates them.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incriminate come from?
The verb comes from the Latin incriminare, formed from in- meaning “into” or “upon” and criminare, meaning “to accuse or condemn.” The root relates to Latin crimen, “crime,” which developed into forms such as criminal and crime. English borrowed the verb in the early 17th century, and it was later extended beyond strictly legal accusations to mean implicating someone in wrongdoing.
Related word forms
How incriminate is actually used
The word is formal and commonly used in legal, journalistic, and investigative contexts. It often implies that evidence or information connects someone with wrongdoing, but it does not necessarily mean that guilt has been legally established.
Easily confused with incriminate
Implicate means to connect someone with an event, situation, or wrongdoing, whereas incriminate more specifically suggests evidence or information that establishes or suggests criminal guilt.