implicate
gb/ˈɪmplɪkˌeɪt/ us/ˈɪmplɪkˌeɪt/
C1
English
~ 9100
összefüggésbe hoz, szerepet tulajdonít, sugall, utal, sejtet, utal rá
VERB
C1
1
Usage pattern:
to implicate [someone] in [a crime / wrongdoing]
Several high-ranking officers were implicated in the bribery scandal.
Több magas rangú tisztet is összefüggésbe hoztak a vesztegetési botránnyal.
The leaked emails directly implicate the mayor in the cover-up.
A kiszivárgott e-mailek közvetlenül összefüggésbe hozzák a polgármestert az eltussolással.
He refused to testify, fearing that he might implicate his friends.
New evidence has emerged that could implicate the company’s former CEO in fraud.
The witness statement clearly implicates two other men in the robbery.
Learner examples
The police report implicates two workers in the theft.
A rendőrségi jelentés két dolgozót is összefüggésbe hoz a lopással.
Her lawyer said the video does not implicate her in the attack.
Az ügyvédje szerint a videó nem hozza őt összefüggésbe a támadással.
He was afraid his words would implicate his brother in the crime.
New documents implicate the manager in the illegal deal.
The judge said the evidence was not strong enough to implicate the driver.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"implicate someone to a crime"* instead of the correct pattern *"implicate someone in a crime"*. They may also confuse *implicate* with *blame*; *implicate* focuses on showing a connection to wrongdoing, often through evidence, while *blame* is simply saying someone is responsible.
Meaning
show someone is involved in crime
Collocations
implicate someone in a crime
|implicate senior officials
|be implicated in corruption
|directly implicate
|heavily implicated
|implicate a number of people
Synonyms
incriminate (stronger and more legalistic; often suggests formal evidence of guilt.)
|
associate (softer and broader; links someone to an event but does not always suggest guilt.)
Antonyms
exonerate (means to officially show someone is not guilty, the opposite of connecting them to wrongdoing.)
|
clear (everyday verb for removing blame or suspicion from someone.)
Themes
law
|crime
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to show or suggest that a person took part in a crime or bad action
To show or suggest that someone is involved in a crime or other serious wrongdoing.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
Usage pattern:
to implicate [something] in [a problem / outcome]
Several environmental factors have been implicated in the rapid spread of the disease.
Több környezeti tényezőt is összefüggésbe hoztak a betegség gyors terjedésével.
The report implicates social media use in the rise of teenage anxiety.
A jelentés a közösségi média használatát is összefüggésbe hozza a tinédzserek szorongásának növekedésével.
A number of dietary patterns are implicated in increased rates of obesity.
These faulty components have been implicated in multiple engine failures.
The study implicates long working hours in higher levels of burnout.
Learner examples
Many studies implicate smoking in lung cancer.
Sok tanulmány összefüggésbe hozza a dohányzást a tüdőrák kialakulásával.
The new report implicates air pollution in many health problems.
Az új jelentés a légszennyezést is összefüggésbe hozza számos egészségügyi probléma kialakulásával.
Poor safety rules were implicated in the factory fire.
Stress is often implicated in sleep problems.
Researchers have implicated this virus in several deaths.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse *implicate* in everyday, neutral situations, where verbs like *cause*, *lead to*, or *be involved in* are more natural (e.g., say *"Rain caused delays"* rather than *"Rain was implicated in delays"*). *Implicate* in this sense is mainly used in formal or scientific writing, often with negative results.
Meaning
show something is a cause
Collocations
a gene implicated in cancer
|factors implicated in the crisis
|stress implicated in heart disease
|be implicated in the rise of
|dietary habits implicated in obesity
|chemicals implicated in pollution
Synonyms
link (more general and less formal; often used for any connection, not only causal ones.)
|
involve (broad verb that can describe participation without clearly suggesting cause.)
Antonyms
rule out (means to decide that something is not a cause or not a factor in a situation.)
|
disassociate (to separate something from a situation, stressing that it is not connected or responsible.)
Themes
science
|health
|news
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to show or suggest that something helps cause a problem or result
To show or suggest that something, such as a factor, substance, or process, is involved in causing a particular situation, often negative.
VERB
C2
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
to implicate that [clause]
Are you trying to implicate that I lied about the figures?
Azt próbálod sugallni, hogy nem mondtam igazat a számadatokról?
Her comments seemed to implicate that management had known about the problem for months.
Úgy tűnt, a megjegyzései azt sugallják, hogy a vezetőség hónapok óta tudott a problémáról.
By asking that question, he subtly implicated that she might be responsible.
The article implicates that the government was aware of the risks but chose to ignore them.
His tone implicated that there was more to the story than he was willing to share.
Learner examples
She did not say it, but her words implicated that he was at fault.
Nem mondta ki, de a szavai azt sugallták, hogy ő volt a hibás.
Are you implicating that I broke the rules?
Azt sugallod, hogy megszegtem a szabályokat?
The note implicated that there was a secret plan.
His question implicated that he did not trust her.
The email implicated that more cuts were coming.
Common mistake:
This sense is much less common than *imply*. Learners often use *implicate* when *imply* is correct. In most cases of indirect suggestion, *imply* is the natural choice; *implicate* is more typical for connecting someone or something to wrongdoing or a problem.
Meaning
suggest something indirectly
Collocations
seem to implicate
|implicitly implicate
|what are you implicating
|implicate that he knew
|implicate a hidden motive
Synonyms
imply (more common and neutral verb for indirect suggestion; usually preferred in everyday use.)
|
hint (suggests a very soft or subtle form of indirect communication.)
Antonyms
state (means to say something clearly and directly, without leaving it to be guessed.)
|
declare (to announce something clearly and firmly, the opposite of only suggesting it.)
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to suggest something without saying it in a clear, direct way
To suggest or hint at something indirectly, without stating it in a clear or direct way.
Grammar
Dictionary form
implicate
IPA
GB/ˈɪmplɪkˌeɪt/
US/ˈɪmplɪkˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
im - plic - ate (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (im)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: implicate
- 3rd Person Singular: implicates
- Present Participle: implicating
- Past: implicated
Word family
Forms
implicates
verb
implicating
verb
implicated
verb
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
explicit
adjective B2
explicitly
adverb B2
Advanced or less common
implicative
adjective
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.