incriminating
UK: ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ | US: ɪnˈkrɪmɪneɪtɪŋ
adj. suggesting or showing involvement in a crime or wrongdoing
vt. (present participle of "incriminate") making someone appear guilty of a crime
incriminating = in<into> + crimin<crime> + ating<verb suffix>
- in (Latin prefix): "into, against"
- crimin (from Latin crimen): "crime, accusation"
- ating (verb-forming suffix): indicates present participle or continuous action
Etymology Origin:
Derived from Latin incriminare ("to accuse"), combining in- (intensifying prefix) and crimen ("crime"). The word evolved through French incriminer before entering English in the 18th century. The morpheme crimin retains its accusatory core, while in- amplifies the sense of implicating someone in wrongdoing. The suffix -ating adapts it to a participial adjective or verb form.
The incriminating evidence led to his arrest.
She denied possessing any incriminating documents.
His incriminating statement was recorded by the police.
The email contained incriminating details about the fraud.
Lawyers argued the footage was not incriminating.