Complicity Meaning in English
word
kəmˈpɫɪsəti/, /kəmˈpɫɪsɪti
kuhm-PLISS-uh-tee
kəmplˈɪsɪti
kuhm-PLISS-ih-tee
Definition
Complicity means being involved with others in an illegal or morally wrong activity, usually as a partner or helper.
Usage & Nuances
Most formal; used in legal, academic, and journalistic contexts. Common collocation: 'complicity in a crime/offense'. Implies knowing participation, not accidental involvement. Not used for everyday cooperation—always suggests wrongdoing.
Spanish: complicidadPortuguese (BR): cumplicidadePortuguese (PT): cumplicidadeChinese (Simplified): 共谋 - 共犯Chinese (Traditional): 共謀 - 共犯Hindi: साझीदारी (अपराध में) - मिलीभगतArabic: تواطؤ - مشاركة في الجريمةBengali: সহযোগিতা (অপরাধে) - সহঅপরাধিতাRussian: соучастиеJapanese: 共謀（きょうぼう） - 加担（かたん）Vietnamese: đồng lõaKorean: 공모 - 가담Turkish: suç ortaklığıUrdu: شراکت (جرم میں) - اعانت (جرم میں)Indonesian: komplicitas - keterlibatan (dalam kejahatan)
Example Sentences
The suspect was arrested for his complicity in the robbery.
basic
He denied any complicity in the cheating scandal.
basic
Their complicity was clear after the investigation.
basic
She was silent, which many saw as complicity.
natural
Journalists accused the officials of complicity in covering up the truth.
natural
Without your complicity, this crime would not have happened.
natural