complicity

noun

com·​plic·​i·​ty kəm-ˈpli-s(ə-)tē How to pronounce complicity (audio)
plural complicities
1
: association or participation in or as if in a wrongful act
arrested for complicity in the crime
2
: an instance of complicity
The two share a complicity she calls fraternal.Joan Dupont

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.
Their silence and complicity in the face of a devastating constitutional crisis speak volumes, and their inaction will be remembered. Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025 Dinges has written widely on Washington’s complicity in the murderous activities of South American military juntas in the 1970s. Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025 Because this genocide is funded by American money, with technology from Silicon Valley, and thanks to the complicity of all the politicians in this country. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025 First, of course, is the question of how Matty and Olympia will reckon with Julian's betrayal and the complicity of Howard who, in addition to being Olympia's senior, is also her ex-father-in-law. Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Complicity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complicity. Accessed 15 May. 2025.

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

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