implicate
verb
im·pli·cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt 
implicated; implicating
transitive verb
1
a
: to bring into intimate or incriminating connection
evidence that implicates him in the bombing
b
: to involve in the nature or operation of something
2
: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply
3
archaic : to fold or twist together : entwine
Synonyms
- enlace
- entwine
- interlace
- intertwine
- intertwist
- interweave
- inweave
- lace
- ply
- twist
- weave
- wreathe
- writhe
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His business partner was implicated in the theft. the implicated vines did form a most restful garden bower
Recent Examples on the Web Their testimony could implicate Trump or the lawyers themselves in misconduct. 
David Rohde, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 In fact, the letter could further implicate Trump in a potential crime. Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Trump hasn’t been charged in the case and, according to a person familiar with the matter, Weisselberg won’t implicate his boss as part of his plea. Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 Her observations implicate both adherents of Make America Great Again and their political foes. Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 But some top party officials are ticked that Caruso is using his bottomless well of cash to implicate fellow Democrats in a series of campaign ads that have been carpet-bombing Southern California for months. Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Aug. 2022 The firm’s report did not find any definitive proof of Glossip’s innocence but raised concerns about lost or destroyed evidence and a detective asking leading questions to Glossip’s co-defendant, Justin Sneed, to implicate Glossip in the slaying. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 The firm's report did not find any definitive proof of Glossip's innocence, but raised concerns about lost or destroyed evidence and a detective asking leading questions to Glossip's co-defendant, Justin Sneed, to implicate Glossip in the slaying. Sean Murphy, ajc, 16 Aug. 2022 But the Latin Kings supported him during his incarceration, praising Harrison’s loyalty and refusal to implicate others, prosecutors said. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 See More
David Rohde, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022 In fact, the letter could further implicate Trump in a potential crime. Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Trump hasn’t been charged in the case and, according to a person familiar with the matter, Weisselberg won’t implicate his boss as part of his plea. Fortune, 18 Aug. 2022 Her observations implicate both adherents of Make America Great Again and their political foes. Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2022 But some top party officials are ticked that Caruso is using his bottomless well of cash to implicate fellow Democrats in a series of campaign ads that have been carpet-bombing Southern California for months. Joe Garofoli, San Francisco Chronicle, 21 Aug. 2022 The firm’s report did not find any definitive proof of Glossip’s innocence but raised concerns about lost or destroyed evidence and a detective asking leading questions to Glossip’s co-defendant, Justin Sneed, to implicate Glossip in the slaying. From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 18 Aug. 2022 The firm's report did not find any definitive proof of Glossip's innocence, but raised concerns about lost or destroyed evidence and a detective asking leading questions to Glossip's co-defendant, Justin Sneed, to implicate Glossip in the slaying. Sean Murphy, ajc, 16 Aug. 2022 But the Latin Kings supported him during his incarceration, praising Harrison’s loyalty and refusal to implicate others, prosecutors said. Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 11 Aug. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English implicaten "to convey (a truth) in a fable," borrowed from Latin implicātus, past participle of implicāre "to fold about itself, entwine, entangle, involve, embroil" (Medieval Latin also, "to imply, mean by implication"), from im- im- + plicāre "to fold, bend" — more at ply entry 3
Note: See also imply, employ entry 1.
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
implicate
verb
im·pli·cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt
implicated; implicating
: to show to be connected or involved
He's been implicated in the crime.
Legal Definition
implicate
transitive verb
im·pli·cate ˈim-plə-ˌkāt
implicated; implicating
1
: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference
firing the federal employee because of her protest implicates the First Amendment
2
: to connect to a crime
implicate
verb
as in to weave
to cause to twine about one another the implicated vines did form a most restful garden bower Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weave
- intertwine
- entwine
- twist
- ply
- mix
- interweave
- braid
- interlace
- writhe
- blend
- intertwist
- enlace
- inweave
- lace
- wreathe
- link
- plat
- pleach
- plait
- fuse
- join
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disentangle
- untangle
- unwind
- uncoil
- untwine