acquit

verb

ə-ˈkwit How to pronounce acquit (audio)
Definition of acquitnext
1
as in to clear
to free from a charge of wrongdoing acquitted of the robbery charge after proving he was nowhere near the scene of the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to carry
to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way the king promised handsome rewards to all who acquitted themselves well in the battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb acquit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of acquit are absolve, exculpate, exonerate, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to free from a charge," acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.

voted to acquit the defendant

When might absolve be a better fit than acquit?

While the synonyms absolve and acquit are close in meaning, absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.

cannot be absolved of blame

When can exculpate be used instead of acquit?

In some situations, the words exculpate and acquit are roughly equivalent. However, exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.

exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm

When is it sensible to use exonerate instead of acquit?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquit, exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.

exonerated by the investigation

When could vindicate be used to replace acquit?

The words vindicate and acquit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vindicate may refer to things as well as persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame.

her judgment was vindicated

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acquit In 2022, a former chief technical pilot for Boeing was acquitted on fraud charges tied to the Max’s development. —Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 23 May 2025 Two of the ten defendants were acquitted, while the remaining eight got a range of penalties, though none will go to prison. —Sonam Sheth gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025 The man charged with carrying out the killing was recently acquitted, and Bernard is appealing his conviction. —Colleen Slevin, Denver Post, 20 May 2025 The eight Black Sox players were acquitted on Aug. 2, 1921, after the jury convened for a mere two hours, 47 minutes. —Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit
  1. clear
  2. carry
  3. absolve
  4. behave
  5. forgive
  6. restrain
  7. exonerate
  8. conduct
Verb
  • Issa's bill has cleared the House, while Grassley's has yet to advance.
    — Zac Anderson, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • More big stories In post-fire milestone, Pacific Coast Highway reopens, clearing a traffic bottleneck.
    — Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Grand theft is a felony that can carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years.
    — Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 30 May 2025
  • The powerful currents of flash floods can carry drivers off the road.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 30 May 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • But that doesn’t absolve companies, developers and policymakers.
    — Tor Constantino, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
  • For friends and relatives of such drinkers, holding this belief helps absolve themselves of responsibility for their acquaintance’s behavior.
    — Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 6 May 2025
Definition of absolve
Verb
  • Secondly, for several years the Treasury market has been behaving strangely, for reasons that have nothing to do with tariffs or trade policy.
    — George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
  • Yet another point in this episode hanging on these professionals behaving in ways that just didn’t track with their actual experience.
    — Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • But all those terms are — forgive the pun — on the outs.
    — Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2025
  • There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Yet, while our adversaries surge ahead, the Pentagon remains restrained by decision-making processes conceived in the 1960s and barely updated since the 1990s.
    — Charles Beames, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Violators could pay up to $200 in fines and up to $250 plus court costs for driving with children who aren't properly restrained.
    — Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi, Axios, 22 May 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • The congresswoman claimed that there was new evidence exonerating Lanez.
    — Michael Saponara, Billboard, 22 May 2025
  • If those judges agree unanimously, the person gets exonerated.
    — Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 16 May 2025
Definition of exonerate
Verb
  • The Division of Aging Services also contracted with the University of North Georgia’s Institute for Healthy Aging in 2025 to conduct the Georgia Respite Care Study.
    — Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Moving forward, Sacramento Fire Marshal Jason Lee said the department will conduct a review of these fees every three to five years.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 21 May 2025
Definition of conduct

Browse Nearby Words

acquisitiveness
acquit
acquits
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Cite this Entry

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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