CRIMINATE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does criminate mean? 

• CRIMINATE (verb)
  The verb CRIMINATE has 2 senses:

1. bring an accusation against; level a charge against

2. rebuke formally

  Familiarity information: CRIMINATE used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CRIMINATE (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Bring an accusation against; level a charge against

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

accuse; criminate; impeach; incriminate

Context example:

The neighbors accused the man of spousal abuse

Hypernyms (to "criminate" is one way to...):

accuse; charge (blame for, make a claim of wrongdoing or misbehavior against)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "criminate"):

reproach; upbraid (express criticism towards)

arraign (accuse of a wrong or an inadequacy)

recriminate (return an accusation against someone or engage in mutual accusations; charge in return)

charge; file; lodge (file a formal charge against)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody of something

Derivation:

crime ((criminal law) an act punishable by law; usually considered an evil act)

criminative; criminatory (charging or suggestive of guilt or blame)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Rebuke formally

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

censure; criminate; reprimand

Hypernyms (to "criminate" is one way to...):

criticise; criticize; knock; pick apart (find fault with; express criticism of; point out real or perceived flaws)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "criminate"):

animadvert (express blame or censure or make a harshly critical remark)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody