complicity

noun

com·​plic·​i·​ty kəm-ˈpli-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce complicity (audio)
plural complicities
Synonyms of complicity
1
: association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act
There's no proof of his complicity in the crime.
2
: an instance of complicity
The two share a complicity she calls fraternal.—Joan Dupont

Synonyms of complicity

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Examples of complicity in a Sentence

There's no proof of her complicity in the murder. He acted with his brother's complicity.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Arthur Miller’s enduring impact rivals Shakespeare’s, with a consistently socially conscious body of work that challenged power structures and society’s complicity during his time and still reaches modern audiences with the horrors of today. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2026 But the protocol was aimed at individuals accused of financial crimes or complicity with criminal or terrorist groups in Haiti. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026 For example, yielding authority to individuals or communities intentionally trying to spread misinformation could lead to complicity and diverge from the goals of journalism. — Danielle K. Brown, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026 David Sutter, who was in the car with O'Berry, was charged with complicity to theft. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for complicity

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French complicité, borrowed from New Latin complicitāt-, complicitās, formed from Late Latin complic-, complex "fellow-participant, partner, accomplice" and Latin -itāt-, -itās -ity, probably after Late Latin duplicitās duplicity — more at complice

Note: The formation of the word is peculiar in that Latin -itāt-, -itās, along with its descendants and borrowings, is rarely added to nouns. Outside of the dictionaries of Thomas Blount and Elisha Coles, complicity is rare to non-existent in English text before the later eighteenth century, when its adoption was probably stimulated by French complicité.

First Known Use

circa 1656, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of complicity was circa 1656

Rhymes for complicity

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Browse Nearby Words

complicitous
complicity
complier
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Cite this Entry

“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complicity. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

complicity

noun
com·​plic·​i·​ty kəm-ˈplis-ət-ē How to pronounce complicity (audio)
plural complicities
: association or participation in a wrongful act
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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