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incriminate

verb

/ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪt/

IPA:

Dictionary definition of incriminate

To accuse or charge someone of committing a crime or wrongdoing.
"The fingerprints incriminate the suspect in the robbery."

Detailed meaning of incriminate

It is the act of providing evidence or testimony that suggests someone is guilty of a crime. The term comes from the Latin word "incriminare" which means "to accuse" or "to bring a charge against."

When someone is incriminated, they may be arrested, charged, and brought to trial. Incriminating evidence can include physical evidence, eyewitness testimony, or statements made by the accused.

It is important to note that being incriminated does not mean that the person is guilty of the crime, it only means that there is enough evidence to charge them. The actual guilt or innocence of the person will be determined by a court of law through a fair trial.

It is also important to note that incriminating someone can have serious consequences for the person accused, as it can lead to criminal charges, fines, imprisonment and damage to reputation.

In short, To incriminate means to accuse or charge someone of committing a crime or wrongdoing, it is the act of providing evidence or testimony that suggests someone is guilty of a crime, being incriminated does not mean that the person is guilty of the crime, it only means that there is enough evidence to charge them, and it can have serious consequences for the person accused, as it can lead to criminal charges, fines, imprisonment and damage to reputation.

Example sentences containing incriminate

1. He refused to answer any questions that could incriminate him.
2. The evidence presented in court failed to incriminate the defendant.
3. She was careful not to say anything that could incriminate her.
4. The witness's testimony could potentially incriminate the suspect.
5. The leaked emails could incriminate several high-ranking officials.
6. The surveillance footage could incriminate the perpetrator.

History and etymology of incriminate

The verb 'incriminate' has its origins in Latin. It is derived from the Latin word 'incriminare,' which combines 'in,' meaning 'in' or 'on,' and 'crimen,' meaning 'crime.' This etymology reflects the process of placing or imputing a crime 'on' or 'in' someone, essentially accusing or charging them with wrongdoing. 'Incriminate' signifies the act of providing evidence or making statements that suggest a person's involvement in a crime or wrongdoing. It is a term commonly used in legal contexts to describe the action of implicating someone in a criminal matter. The etymology of 'incriminate' highlights its connection to the concept of criminal accusation and the role it plays in legal proceedings.

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Further usage examples of incriminate

1. The fingerprints found at the crime scene incriminate the suspect.
2. He feared that his fingerprints on the weapon would incriminate him.
3. The confidential documents could incriminate the organization.
4. The detective gathered enough evidence to incriminate the culprit.
5. His suspicious behavior at the scene of the crime could incriminate him.
6. The DNA test results were used to incriminate the suspect.
7. The recorded phone conversation could incriminate the suspect.
8. The confession made during the interrogation could incriminate the suspect.
9. The bank records provided a trail that could incriminate the embezzler.
10. The witness's testimony was designed to incriminate the defendant.
11. The deleted emails were recovered and used to incriminate the suspect.
12. The audio recording captured a conversation that could incriminate those involved.
13. The detective tried to incriminate the suspect but lacked concrete evidence.
14. She didn't want to incriminate herself, so she remained silent during questioning.
15. The whistleblower feared retaliation if they were to incriminate their superiors.
16. The security footage could incriminate the thief caught in the act.
17. The witness refused to incriminate the defendant, protecting their friend.
18. His fingerprints on the weapon could incriminate him in the murder case.
19. The false testimony aimed to incriminate an innocent person.
20. The hacker left digital breadcrumbs that would incriminate them.
21. The stolen documents could incriminate several high-profile individuals.
22. To avoid jail time, he decided to incriminate his co-conspirators.
23. The confession was coerced, leading to concerns it might incriminate the wrong person.
24. The journalist risked her safety to incriminate corrupt officials.