All words

implicate

Meaning

To demonstrate or suggest a connection to a crime, wrongdoing, or unfavorable situation.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

Maria was afraid to speak to the police because she did not want to implicate her brother. If she told them what she saw, it could show he was involved in the crime. She sat quietly, her hands shaking, unsure of what to do.

The witness’s shaking hands and avoided gaze seemed to implicate him in the theft. He looked so guilty, like he knew more than he was saying. It was obvious he was involved somehow.

The detective's careful questioning began to implicate Mark in the robbery. His nervous twitching and vague answers made it clear he knew more than he was saying. When the security camera footage appeared, Mark's face went pale, and he knew his story was falling apart.

When the police found a trail of cookie crumbs leading straight to Timmy’s room, they began to implicate him in the mysterious disappearance of every cookie in the jar. Timmy’s chocolate-stained face did not help his case, but he still blamed the dog.

The squirrel, wearing a tiny bandit mask, tried to blame his neighbor, the grumpy badger, for the missing acorns. However, the muddy paw prints leading from the pantry directly to the squirrel's treehouse would surely implicate him as the real nut-napper.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

The police officers implicate the man in the robbery. They have interest in him because he was seen near the scene of the crime.

I didn't mean to implicate you in my crime. I'm sorry for involving you. I hope you can forgive me. Let's join together and move on from this.

The candidate was implicated in the crime. The police have evidence that implicates the candidate. The candidate is facing charges thatimplicate him in the crime. If convicted, the candidate could go to prison.

While the evidence may not seem to implicate him at first, upon further examination it is clear that he was involved in the crime. The police will not be able to overlook the fact that his fingerprints are all over the weapon.

The victim's family was devastated when the evidence began to implicate their son as the killer. They had always maintained his innocence, but the more the police dug, the more it became clear that he was responsible for the brutal murder.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

Maria was shocked when the police arrived at her door and asked questions about her neighbor’s missing jewelry. They claimed evidence might implicate her because her fingerprints were found on the box. She felt panic rise as she struggled to explain her innocent visit from last week.

The detective's careful questions began to implicate the quiet neighbor. He shifted uncomfortably as details emerged, each one further solidifying his connection to the missing money. He knew he couldn't deny his involvement any longer.

The detective's careful questioning began to implicate the suspect in the robbery. His nervous fidgeting and inconsistent alibi raised suspicions, and when forensic evidence emerged linking him to the crime scene, the case against him started to solidify.

When Officer Jenkins found Mrs. Butterworth’s missing cat wearing tiny sunglasses and counting dollar bills, he couldn’t help but laugh—until the neighbor’s parrot began squawking, “Eddy did it!” over and over, clearly trying to implicate poor Eddy in a truly wild feline crime spree.

The evidence, a rogue banana peel and a suspiciously squeaky shoe, began to implicate the butler in the great cookie caper. Witnesses corroborated the tell-tale crumbs clinging to his waistcoat. He protested his innocence, but the jig was decidedly up.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Maria was shocked when the detective presented evidence meant to implicate her in the theft. Although she had been near the scene, she had no involvement in the crime. The fear that the accusation might convince others of her guilt left her feeling isolated and betrayed.

The damning evidence, a smudged fingerprint on the weapon, began to implicate him in the audacious heist. His frantic denials grew weaker as the investigators unearthed more connections, each discovery deepening the suspicion that he was more than just a tangential observer.

The detective's meticulous investigation began to implicate several warehouse employees in the embezzlement scheme. As financial records emerged, nervous glances and hushed conversations betrayed their collective guilt, and the mounting evidence suggested they were far more deeply involved than anyone had initially suspected.

When Detective Butterscotch unveiled the security footage of Mr. Whiskers tiptoeing through the tuna vault, not only did it implicate the feline in the great seafood heist, but it also exposed his accomplice—a startled goldfish inexplicably wielding a monocle and a tiny grappling hook.

The audacious jewel heist left the constabulary in a quandary. Intercepted missives, brimming with arcane nautical terms and a suspiciously large quantity of fish recipes, began to implicate the seemingly innocuous proprietor of "Barnacle Bill's Bait and Tackle" in the grand pilferage.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

Appears in

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