implicated...what synonym to this word here..to understand the exact meaning?
smoking has been implicated as acancer risk factor

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Implicated in this context could mean both "connected" or "linked".

Smoking has been implicated as a cancer risk factor.
Smoking is a connected risk factor for cancer.
Smoking has been linked to be a risk factor for cancer.

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The word "implicated" can also mean the same as "related to" or associated with".

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I think "cited" would convey the meaning accurately.