What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Complicit vs Participate - What's the difference?

complicit | participate |

As adjectives the difference between complicit and participate

is that complicit is associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature while participate is acting in common; participating.

As a verb participate is

to join in, to take part, to involve oneself ({{term|in}} something).

complicit

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.
  • * 1861 , Henry M. Wheeler, The Slaves' Champion , p. 203,
  • It [slavery] has set the seal of a complicit , guilty silence upon the most orthodox pulpits and the saintliest tongues,
  • * 1973 , , As If by Magic , Secker and Warburg, p. 177:
  • "I confess," and the Englishman turned with a near complicit grin to Hamo, "I have certain vulgar tastes myself."
  • * 2005 , Larry Dennsion, " Letters," Time , 7 March:
  • Khan's sale of nuclear secrets and a complicit Pakistani government have made the world a ticking time bomb.

    Synonyms

    * complicitous

    Derived terms

    * complicitly

    References

    * * Oxford English Dictionary , 2nd ed., 1989.

    participate

    English

    Verb

    (participat)
  • To join in, to take part, to involve oneself ((in) something).
  • (obsolete) To share, share in (something).
  • * 1638 , , Some Yeares Travels , I:
  • they seldome feed together, lest they might participate one anothers impurity: each has his owne cup [...].
  • (obsolete) To share (something) (with) others; to transfer (something) (to) or (unto) others.
  • * 1662 , Thomas Salusbury, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief Systems of the World , II:
  • Make the Earth [...] turn round its own axis in twenty four hours, and towards the same point with all the other Spheres; and without participating this same motion to any other Planet or Star.

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (obsolete) Acting in common; participating.
  • * 1608 , , I. i. 101:
  • And, mutually participate , did minister / Unto the appetite and affection common / Of the whole body.