Complicit/kəmˈplɪsɪt/ Definition 1 of 1Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation Complicit carries a negative implication of being deliberately involved in something bad. The manager was complicit in the fraudulent activities. Pro Tip 2/3Legal Context Often used in legal or news reports to suggest involvement in unethical or illegal acts. Officials were found complicit in the embezzlement scandal. Pro Tip 3/3Passive Role Being complicit doesn't always mean actively participating, but sometimes knowingly allowing it. By staying silent, he was complicit in the cover-up.