complicit

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/kəmˈplɪsɪt/
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An adjective for a person or organization knowingly involved in a wrong, illegal, or morally questionable act.

Examples

  • They were not the main offenders, but they were complicit in the scheme.
  • The report accused several officials of being complicit in the cover-up.
  • She refused to stay silent because she did not want to be complicit.
  • He claimed he was unaware, but the emails made him look complicit.
  • The company was found complicit in the illegal dumping.

Similar words

implicated
collusive
accomplice
involved
accessory
culpable
responsible

Meanings

Usage

Use the word carefully because it is accusatory. If only connection or passive association is known, use more neutral terms such as connected to or associated with.

Common mistakes

Complicit does not simply mean nearby or present. It points to involvement, assistance, consent, or responsibility in wrongdoing.

Etymology

From complicity, ultimately related to Latin complicare, to fold together or involve. The modern sense is tied to shared involvement in wrongdoing.

FAQ

What does complicit mean?

It means knowingly involved in a wrong, illegal, or morally questionable act.

What preposition follows complicit?

The usual preposition is in: complicit in the crime, complicit in the cover-up.

Is complicit the same as guilty?

Not always. It implies involvement or responsibility, but legal guilt depends on the context and law.

What is the noun form of complicit?

The noun is complicity.

What is a synonym for complicit?

Synonyms include involved, implicated, collusive, accessory, accomplice, culpable, and responsible.

What is the opposite of complicit?

Opposites include innocent, uninvolved, blameless, unaware, and opposed.

How do you use complicit in a sentence?

For example: The company was found complicit in the illegal dumping.

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