implicate
verb
im·pli·cate
ˈim-plə-ˌkāt 
implicated; implicating
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
Scientists have discovered a gene that is implicated in the disease.
2
: to involve as a consequence, corollary, or natural inference : imply
Firing a government employee because of her protest implicates the First Amendment.
3
archaic
: to fold or twist together : entwine
Examples of implicate in a Sentence
His business partner was implicated in the theft.
the implicated vines did form a most restful garden bower
Recent Examples on the Web
At a minimum, the administration should commit to formal consultation and amend current policies to include the Ute Indian Tribe wherever Brunot rights are implicated.
—
Shaun Chapoose, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Public statements implicating Raul Castro, who was the actual head of the armed forces, in the decision to shoot down the planes had emerged over the years, some of which were mentioned in the indictment.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Even though the owners weren’t implicated in the ABC investigation reports, their license was indefinitely suspended on May 5 because the sales happened more than once.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Dusky sharks are potentially dangerous to beachgoers due to their large size and occurrence in shallow coastal waters, though they have been implicated in few interactions with humans, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for implicate
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Shaun Chapoose, Denver Post, 20 May 2026
Public statements implicating Raul Castro, who was the actual head of the armed forces, in the decision to shoot down the planes had emerged over the years, some of which were mentioned in the indictment.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 20 May 2026
Even though the owners weren’t implicated in the ABC investigation reports, their license was indefinitely suspended on May 5 because the sales happened more than once.
—Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 19 May 2026
Dusky sharks are potentially dangerous to beachgoers due to their large size and occurrence in shallow coastal waters, though they have been implicated in few interactions with humans, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History.
—Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for implicate
Cite this Entry
“Implicate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/implicate. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
implicate
verb
im·pli·cate
ˈim-plə-ˌkāt
implicated; implicating
: to show to be connected or involved
evidence that implicates him in the robbery
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
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