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 Both men were acquitted after a December 2024 jury trial at which Kautzman emphasized a lack of expert consensus about the cause of Whitfield's death. —Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 21 Oct. 2025 Berchtold was later acquitted of the kidnapping charges by reason of mental defect. —Alex Gurley, PEOPLE, 18 Oct. 2025 Combs and Jones were later acquitted in the incident. —Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2025 Kogut was acquitted after a second trial, the Innocence Project said. —Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 15 Oct. 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
  • Ultimately, SkyWest Flight 6469 was cleared for takeoff, and landed at Los Angeles International Airport shortly after midnight.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
  • The royal agreed to the interview in order to clear his name and explain his relationship with Epstein.
    — Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • North also styled her hair in braids like Dionne and carried a small black leather handbag.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 26 Oct. 2025
  • This year, a replica of the Seneca Chief, which carried Clinton in 1825, set out from Buffalo on the canal.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Ohtani was quickly absolved of any wrongdoing, but there remains no news on the Guardians pitchers three months later.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Unlike Monster, which attempts to absolve itself from feeding into Gein mania by focusing on the other writers and directors inspired by that serial killer, Devil in Disguise doesn’t try to implicate its audience in the sport of watching true crime.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of absolve
Verb
  • Advertisement In interviews, DaCosta has talked about the pleasures of telling stories in which Black women behave badly, instead of being forced to serve as virtuous role models.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Those surviving cells accumulated more genetic damage, and in some cases started behaving like cancer cells.
    — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • Trump will need to hope for hostilities to be short-lasting, or for these voters to be forgiving.
    — Javier Corrales, Time, 27 Oct. 2025
  • He could have been forgiven for getting a bit discouraged.
    — Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Police said officers fired bean bag rounds to restrain Headrick.
    — Rey Covarrubias Jr, AZCentral.com, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Emerson was restrained by flight attendants and moved to the back of the plane, preventing any further attempts to sabotage the aircraft, per authorities.
    — Maddie Garfinkle, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • So how does him being somewhat exonerated by the NBA, how does all this new information, how does this play into his role on the roster moving forward?
    — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Here is the video with the new angle from Collins that exonerates Mahomes.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2025
Definition of exonerate
Verb
  • China’s newest aircraft carrier may only be able to conduct air operations at about 60% the rate of a 50-year-old US Navy carrier, two former US carrier officers say, a substantial combat limitation for a vessel meant to revolutionize Beijing’s fleet.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2025
  • In a statement shared on social media, the EPD confirmed that the investigation remains open and is being conducted by the Massachusetts State Police, the Everett Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.

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