complicitous
In on it
Complicitous means involved in wrongdoing alongside others—sharing guilt or responsibility for something blameworthy.
The word functions as the adjective form of complicity: a complicitous silence, complicitous in the cover-up.
Some usage guides prefer *complicit*, viewing *complicitous* as an unnecessary variant, though both appear in standard English.
Partner in wrongdoing
- partner-in-crimeShared wrongdoing companion
- accessorySupplementary addition
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
- collaboratorOne who works jointly
confederate · henchman · insider · facilitator · conniver · enabler · associate · sidekick
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- connivanceWillful blindness to wrongdoing
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- cabalScheming political faction
- plotStoryline or land parcel
intrigue · machination · subterfuge · cover-up · clandestine · covert · secretive · underhand
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- involvementState of being engaged
- taintedContaminated, made impure
- stainedMarred by discoloration
- incriminatedShown involvement in wrongdoing
compromised · entangled · enmeshed · answerable · accountability · liability · blameworthy
One who observes nearby
- enablingMaking something feasible
- passivityState of non-resistance
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
- inactionDeliberate nonmovement
omission · non-intervention · compliant · permissive · tolerating
Dishonest, open to bribes
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
disreputable · venal · sleazy · dubious · nefarious · malfeasance · wrongdoing · misconduct
co-conspirator
Partner in wrongdoing
- partner-in-crimeShared wrongdoing companion
- accessorySupplementary addition
- abettorOne who assists wrongdoing
collaborator · confederate · henchman · insider · facilitator · conniver · enabler · associate · sidekick · partaker
conspiracy
Clandestine coordinated scheming
- connivanceWillful blindness to wrongdoing
- schemingCrafty and calculating
- cabalScheming political faction
plot · intrigue · machination · subterfuge · cover-up · clandestine · covert · secretive · underhand · cloak-and-dagger
culpability
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- involvementState of being engaged
- taintedContaminated, made impure
- stainedMarred by discoloration
incriminated · compromised · entangled · enmeshed · answerable · accountability · liability · blameworthy
bystander
One who observes nearby
- enablingMaking something feasible
- passivityState of non-resistance
- acquiescenceUnresisting acceptance
inaction · omission · non-intervention · compliant · permissive · tolerating
corrupt
Dishonest, open to bribes
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- unprincipledLacking moral standards
shady · disreputable · venal · sleazy · dubious · nefarious · malfeasance · wrongdoing · misconduct · crooked
complicitousinnocent
Free from moral wrong
blameless · uninvolved · guiltless · unimplicated · innocent bystander
complicitouswhistleblowing
Exposing hidden wrongdoing internally
resistant · opposing · oppositional · defiant · truth-telling
complicit, implicit, complication, accomplice, complicate, implication, implications, implicate, implicated