Implicit vs. Complicit

Published: 25 May, 2022

Implicitadjective

Implied indirectly, without being directly expressed

Complicitadjective

Associated with or participating in an activity, especially one of a questionable nature.

Implicitadjective

Contained in the essential nature of something but not openly shown

Complicitadjective

involved with others in an activity that is unlawful or morally wrong

‘the careers of those complicit in the cover-up were blighted’;

Implicitadjective

Having no reservations or doubts; unquestioning or unconditional; usually said of faith or trust.

Implicitadjective

(obsolete) entangled, twisted together.

Implicitadjective

Infolded; entangled; complicated; involved.

‘In his woolly fleeceI cling implicit.’;

Implicitadjective

Tacitly comprised; fairly to be understood, though not expressed in words; implied; as, an implicit contract or agreement.

Implicitadjective

Resting on another; trusting in the word or authority of another, without doubt or reserve; unquestioning; complete; as, implicit confidence; implicit obedience.

‘Back again to implicit faith I fall.’;

Implicitadjective

implied though not directly expressed; inherent in the nature of something;

‘an implicit agreement not to raise the subject’; ‘there was implicit criticism in his voice’; ‘anger was implicit in the argument’; ‘the oak is implicit in the acorn’;

Implicitadjective

being without doubt or reserve;

‘implicit trust’;

Implicitadjective

suggested though not directly expressed

‘comments seen as implicit criticism of the policies’;

Implicitadjective

always to be found in; essentially connected with

‘the values implicit in the school ethos’;

Implicitadjective

with no qualification or question; absolute

‘an implicit faith in God’;