verb

incriminate

in-KRIM-ih-nayt/ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪt/

To make someone appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.

The security image incriminates the woman by showing her taking the necklace.

An investigator confronts a woman with a clear security-camera image showing that same woman taking a necklace from a jewelry display.

Etymology

inLatinin

+criminLatincrime

+ateEnglishverb-forming ending

The crime root underlies the earlier meaning “accuse of a crime.” Making someone appear guilty extends that idea: evidence can point to guilt without anyone making a direct accusation.

In context

DramaBreak8:47

But right now, I have no evidence Unless I can get Changsun Ba to incriminate himself

[FULL] Reborn With Hatred She Fights Villains And Finally Weds The Man She Loves#minidramas

More examples

She refuses to answer questions that might incriminate her.
The emails incriminated several managers in the fraud.
Nothing in the report incriminates the driver.

Forms

incriminate · incriminates · incriminated · incriminating

incrimination noun — The act of making someone appear guilty.

Similar words

implicate: Suggests involvement in wrongdoing without necessarily establishing personal guilt.
accuse: Directly claims someone did wrong, rather than supplying incriminating evidence.