Incriminate
verb
To make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
His testimony incriminated his friend in the fraud case.
Often appears as...
- incriminate oneself
- incriminate someone else
verb
To involve in an accusation; cause to be or appear to be guilty.
The burglar left several pieces of evidence that incriminated him.
Often appears as...
- incriminate by evidence
- rule incriminates
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
His testimony incriminated his friend in the fraud case.
Often appears as...
- incriminate oneself
- incriminate someone else
verb
To involve in an accusation; cause to be or appear to be guilty.
The burglar left several pieces of evidence that incriminated him.
Often appears as...
- incriminate by evidence
- rule incriminates
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Self-incrimination Caution
Be cautious when speaking about your actions, as you could unintentionally incriminate yourself.
In the interview, she accidentally incriminated herself by revealing details only the culprit would know.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Intentional
'Incriminate' can occur without intent, simply by being associated with incriminating evidence.
He was incriminated by the fingerprints found at the scene, though he claimed innocence.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Consequences
Use 'incriminate' to stress possible legal consequences from being connected to wrongdoing.
The emails between the executives could incriminate the entire corporation.
Pro Tip 1/3Self-incrimination Caution
Be cautious when speaking about your actions, as you could unintentionally incriminate yourself.
In the interview, she accidentally incriminated herself by revealing details only the culprit would know.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Intentional
'Incriminate' can occur without intent, simply by being associated with incriminating evidence.
He was incriminated by the fingerprints found at the scene, though he claimed innocence.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Consequences
Use 'incriminate' to stress possible legal consequences from being connected to wrongdoing.
The emails between the executives could incriminate the entire corporation.
Pro Tip 1/3Self-incrimination Caution
Be cautious when speaking about your actions, as you could unintentionally incriminate yourself.
In the interview, she accidentally incriminated herself by revealing details only the culprit would know.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Intentional
'Incriminate' can occur without intent, simply by being associated with incriminating evidence.
He was incriminated by the fingerprints found at the scene, though he claimed innocence.
Pro Tip 3/3Legal Consequences
Use 'incriminate' to stress possible legal consequences from being connected to wrongdoing.
The emails between the executives could incriminate the entire corporation.
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Video examples
What is McCarthyism? And...
Imagine that one day, you're summoned before a government panel. Even though you haven't committed any crime, or been formally charged with one, you are repeatedly questioned about your political views, accused of disloyalty, and asked to incriminate your friends and associates.
Video examples
The dangers of...
FBI did a study they looked at 268 cases where hair evidence was used to incriminate a suspect and what they found was in 257 of those cases
Video examples
What is McCarthyism? And...
Imagine that one day, you're summoned before a government panel. Even though you haven't committed any crime, or been formally charged with one, you are repeatedly questioned about your political views, accused of disloyalty, and asked to incriminate your friends and associates.
Video examples
The dangers of...
FBI did a study they looked at 268 cases where hair evidence was used to incriminate a suspect and what they found was in 257 of those cases
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jeanine Pirro
American Journalist
Members of the FBI and the Department of Justice - some of whom ended up on Bob Mueller's team to prosecute Donald Trump - did everything they could to exonerate Hillary Clinton for her crimes and incriminate Donald Trump with a non-existent crime.
Quote examples
Rush Limbaugh
American Entertainer
You do not have to incriminate yourself. But once you assert your innocence, and once you say you didn't do anything wrong, you can't then use the Fifth Amendment to say, 'I'm not answering questions.
Quote examples
Jeanine Pirro
American Journalist
Members of the FBI and the Department of Justice - some of whom ended up on Bob Mueller's team to prosecute Donald Trump - did everything they could to exonerate Hillary Clinton for her crimes and incriminate Donald Trump with a non-existent crime.
Quote examples
Rush Limbaugh
American Entertainer
You do not have to incriminate yourself. But once you assert your innocence, and once you say you didn't do anything wrong, you can't then use the Fifth Amendment to say, 'I'm not answering questions.
Example 1 of 2
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