complicit
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “complicit” mean?
adjective.involved with others in an illegal activity or wrongdoing.
SAT Usage
This term often appears in contexts related to crime, ethics, or social issues, emphasizing the active participation or tacit approval of wrongdoing rather than mere association. It highlights a moral failing or accountability, distinguishing it from similar words like "innocent," which implies a lack of involvement or culpability.
Common Confusions
Complicit implies active involvement in wrongdoing, while innocent usually suggests a lack of involvement or wrongdoing altogether.
Example Sentences
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She was found to be complicit in covering up the crime.
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By ignoring the suspicious activities of her colleagues, she felt complicit in their unethical practices, which weighed heavily on her conscience.
Word Parts: How to Remember “complicit”
Break “complicit” into its parts: co- (together, with) + -plex- (fold, interweave). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.
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Prefix:
co-together, with (Latin) -
Root:
-plex-fold, interweave (Latin)