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 Former model Henstridge acquits herself just fine in her debut role. —ArsTechnica, 13 July 2025 The announcement comes nearly two years after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was acquitted on all 16 articles of impeachment related to allegations of corruption and abuse of office. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 July 2025 Valle was also acquitted of first- and second-degree intentional assault. —Audrey Conklin , Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 9 July 2025 Valle was acquitted on Wednesday on charges of murder, intentional manslaughter and intentional assault. —Peter D'abrosca, FOXNews.com, 10 July 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
  • The snow had stopped by 4:05 p.m., over an hour after the incident, and the weather began to clear, with cloudless skies at around 5:25 p.m., the NTSB's findings stated.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • Certain advancements in technology mean aspects of this are theoretically possible, even though the bar is so high to clear in practice.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 24 July 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • Just inside the doors of the employee entrance to Ford Motor Co.'s Dearborn Truck Plant is a scoreboard that looms high above a double set of steep stairs that carry the 3,600 employees up to the factory floor where the company builds its best-selling vehicle: the F-150 pickup.
    — Jamie L. LaReau, Freep.com, 30 July 2025
  • But another bill, HB 3520 by Rep. David Spiller, R-Jacksboro, to lessen the amount of liability insurance coverage rideshare drivers need to carry, took up a whole lot more time.
    — John C. Moritz, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • In other words, voucher programs are an effort to privatize education and absolve states from the responsibility of providing a high-quality education for all students.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 23 July 2025
  • Importantly, the team cautions that this is not meant to absolve Caligula of his many other atrocities.
    — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 10 July 2025
Definition of absolve
Verb
  • How did Tali Shapiro survive? Donald Haines was the bystander who followed Alcala and called the police, unsettled by how Alcala was behaving around Shapiro.
    — Jessica Sager, People.com, 24 July 2025
  • How should men behave, and what can our culture do to encourage that behavior?
    — Christopher J. Scalia, National Review, 24 July 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • Part of the cost of replacing lead lines in New London is being covered by a $6.9 million federal loan, a portion of which will be forgiven.
    — Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 28 July 2025
  • On the other side, Israel’s demolition and occupation of much of Gaza has made Palestinians all the less willing to reconcile with and forgive Israel.
    — DANIEL BYMAN, Foreign Affairs, 28 July 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Video posted to social media by a passenger showed law enforcement escorting a man off the plane with his hands restrained behind his back.
    — Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 18 July 2025
  • Farrell was then restrained by crew members and escorted off stage.
    — Michaela Zee, Variety, 16 July 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • Thirty people on death row in Florida have been exonerated, far more than any other state.
    — Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 2025
  • Hunt was later exonerated and released from prison following DNA evidence and a confession from the man who had committed the crimes.
    — Maia Nehme, Charlotte Observer, 29 July 2025
Definition of exonerate
Verb
  • The Chinese vessels discussed above are civilian vessels, and international law would forbid them from conducting military survey operations.
    — Jill Goldenziel, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Researchers conducted cognitive assessments of the participants during clinic visits at baseline and every six months for two years.
    — Jillian Frankel, People.com, 1 Aug. 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 6 Aug. 2025.

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