self-incriminate
Admit one's guilt
To self-incriminate is to say or do something that suggests your own guilt in a crime or wrongdoing.
The term appears most often in legal contexts, where the Fifth Amendment protects Americans from being compelled to self-incriminate: She invoked her right not to self-incriminate.
Outside courtrooms, it describes any admission that makes you look guilty: He self-incriminated by mentioning details only the thief would know.
Confess or grant entry
- discloseReveal hidden information
- revealMake something visible
- divulgeReveal private information
- implicateSuggest involvement in wrongdoing
confession · acknowledgment · blurt · expose · betray · statement · admission · unburden
Exclusive right or benefit
- silenceTotal lack of sound
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
- defendantParty facing charges
- prosecutionPursuing legal charges
interrogation · immunity · waiver · compel · evidence · indictment · coercion · cross-examination
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
- shamePainful awareness of failure
regret · damning · complicity
admit
Confess or grant entry
implicate · confession · acknowledgment · blurt · expose · betray · statement · admission · unburden · spill
privilege
Exclusive right or benefit
prosecution · interrogation · immunity · waiver · compel · evidence · indictment · coercion · cross-examination · subpoena
culpability
Deserving blame for wrongdoing
- remorseGuilt for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- compunctionUneasiness from guilt
shame · regret · damning · complicity
self, incriminate, incriminated, incriminating, incrimination, incriminatory, crime, crimes, criminal