inculpate
verb
in·cul·pate in-ˈkəl-ˌpāt 
ˈin-(ˌ)kəl-
inculpated; inculpating
transitive verb
: to impute guilt to : incriminate
inculpation
ˌin-(ˌ)kəl-ˈpā-shən
noun 
Did you know?
Inculpate is the opposite of exculpate, just as inculpatory evidence is the opposite of exculpatory evidence. By inculpating someone else, an accused person may manage to exculpate himself. Through plea bargaining, the prosecution can often encourage a defendant to inculpate his friends in return for a lighter sentence.
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Over the years, Pearcy has given numerous different accounts of the crime — at times blaming Dailey and other times inculpating himself. 
Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 13 Feb. 2012
Pamela Colloff, ProPublica, 13 Feb. 2012 Word History
Etymology
Late Latin inculpatus, from Latin in- + culpatus, past participle of culpare to blame, from culpa guilt
First Known Use
1799, in the meaning defined above
inculpate
verb
as in to implicate
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- implicate
- prosecute
- report
- sue
- arraign
- recriminate
- retaliate
- try
- frame
- name
- appeal
- incriminate
- inform (against)
- book
- blame
- criminate
- tax
- impugn
- cite
- chide
- summon
- criticize
- fault
- rebuke
- impeach
- accuse
- reprobate
- denounce
- condemn
- indict
- reprove
- censure
- castigate
- defame
- reproach
- call (on)
- charge
- damn
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- exonerate
- vindicate
- acquit
- exculpate
- absolve
- defend
- clear
- advocate
- justify
- forgive
- excuse
- pardon
- remit
- champion
- shrive