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 2003, Jackson was arrested and charged on child molestation charges in Santa Barbara County, but he was acquitted in 2005. —Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2025 Spain’s High Court ordered Rubiales to pay a fine of around $10,400 and acquitted him of coercion charges, according to Reuters. —Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2025 Michael was acquitted of the charges in October 2022, and Kristine’s charges were dismissed in March 2023. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025 The former football star and Naked Gun actor was charged with the murders but ultimately acquitted. —Jillian Sederholm, EW.com, 17 Feb. 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
  • Pine forests regularly rely on wildfire for the release of seeds from pinecones and to clear vegetation for new growth.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Gathering at Scripps Research’s third annual Pandemic Preparedness Symposium last week, researchers working in virology and chemistry did not bother to debate whether or not H5N1 avian influenza will clear this rapidly shrinking hurdle.
    — Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Mar. 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Butler carried the Heat to two NBA Finals appearances.
    — Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Sixty-plus years ago, the state’s water managers proposed a canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to complete the state project that carries water from the northern part of the state to the southern.
    — Dan Walters, Orange County Register, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • The transgender sports bill will likely die in committee, but that doesn’t absolve our legislators of their responsibility to maintain an open, democratic process.
    — Josue Sierra, Baltimore Sun, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The wall won’t absolve the U.S. from its obligations to abide by international laws, current U.S. laws or the United Nations General Assembly Universal Declaration of Human Rights relating to immigration.
    — Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 6 Feb. 2025
Definition of absolve
Verb
  • As a collective, the robots behaved like a material that could change shape and switch between solid and liquid states, just like the T-1000.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2025
  • The default state of the Switch Axe is Axe Mode, which behaves a bit like a slightly faster Hammer with pretty good damage output and great mobility for a weapon of its size.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • According to data from Statista, the average amount of student debt forgiven by the PSLF program was $63,826 per borrower.
    — Shahar Ziv, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Rather than setting yourself up for more hurt feelings, do your best to forgive your parents for their favoritism and live your life.
    — Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • However, in some cases, such as capturing and restraining a wild animal to relocate it, workers use tranquilizers or sedatives to make the animal sleepy, or cover its eyes and ears to reduce fear and prevent long-lasting problems.
    — Rachel Blaser, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Guards restrained them with handcuffs on their feet and hands.
    — Federico Rios, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • Rocky, who was charged with two counts of felony assault, was exonerated of shooting former A$AP Mob member A$AP Relli during a confrontation in Los Angeles in 2021.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 20 Feb. 2025
  • The city of New York agreed in October 2022 to pay $26 million in lawsuit settlements filed on behalf of two men exonerated in late 2021 in the assassination.
    — Russell Contreras, Axios, 20 Feb. 2025
Definition of exonerate
Verb
  • Researchers there were conducting part of a nationwide clinical trial of Leqembi, then known by its generic name, lecanemab.
    — Jon Hamilton, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Robert Potential employers conduct reference checks to verify your work history and assess your past performance.
    — Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of conduct

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“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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