implicate
/ˈɪm.plɪ.keɪt/(verb)
AWL Sublist 4CEFR C1IELTS Band 7.0 - 9.0
Academic Definition
To show someone to be involved in a crime or culpable action; to show something as a contributing cause.
Key Academic Collocations
Click to copyWord Family & Derivatives
implicateimplicationimplicationsimplicatedimplicating
Lexical Alternatives (Synonyms)
incriminateentangleinvolvecompromiseembroil
Academic Sample Sentences in Context
"Rigorous clinical trials have implicated artificial trans-fats in the elevated incidence of coronary heart disease."
"The judicial inquiry implicated several high-ranking municipal officials in the fraudulent diversion of infrastructure funds."
"Deforestation in the upper watershed was directly implicated in the unprecedented severity of downstream river floods."
IELTS Examiner Scoring Strategy (Lexical Resource)
Note the preposition: 'heavily implicated IN'. Alternatively, the noun 'implications' (consequences) is widely used.