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 The most high-profile landmark may be the home of Lizzie Borden, who was acquitted of murdering her parents with an axe. —Steph Solis, Axios, 24 Mar. 2025 Once the world’s longest-serving death row inmate, he was acquitted after a DNA test showed that the bloodstained clothing which was used to convict him was planted long after the murders, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK. —Chris Lau and Yumi Asada, CNN, 25 Mar. 2025 In 2022, he was acquitted of his charges after a jury trial in 2022, and the charges against his wife were dismissed. —Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025 There were no violent criminals, but nobody is ever acquitted, either, Mr. Calvey wrote. —Neil MacFarquhar, New York Times, 23 Mar. 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
  • And in 2009, domestic box office revenue cleared $10 billion for the first time.
    — Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 18 Apr. 2025
  • The company implemented diversity goals, cleared years of freelancer debt, and committed to becoming carbon-neutral within five years.
    — Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of clear
Verb
  • There were so many physical scenes and heavy emotions carried throughout.
    — Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The New York Helicopters chartered chopper, which was carrying a pilot, two adults and three children, fell into the Hudson River by Lower Manhattan in New York City on Thursday afternoon, officials said during a press briefing.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of carry
Verb
  • Having famous parents doesn’t absolve you from car troubles!
    — Dana Rose Falcone, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • But this does not absolve the front office of their contributions to the attacking wobbles, which needs to be a key point of emphasis going forward.
    — James McNicholas, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of absolve
Verb
  • And the Trump administration is behaving the same terroristic way as Pinochet and others have done in the hemisphere.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Photo: James Merrell How to test paint colors How color behaves in relation to other colors and in different light conditions is extremely complex, and nothing beats seeing them in situ, Studholme says.
    — Ariel Okin, Vogue, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of behave
Verb
  • Fans have not forgiven him for trading a global superstar in the prime of his career.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The elastic waistband is forgiving (especially post-resort buffet), and the wide legs allow airflow, even in hot climates.
    — Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Rosemary restrained herself from scratching at her wig.
    — Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025
  • Education Trump says Education Department will no longer oversee student loans, 'special needs' Over 100,000 U.S. public school students were secluded or restrained during the 2017-2018 school year, according to federal data.
    — Dylan Peers McCoy, NPR, 16 Apr. 2025
Definition of restrain
Verb
  • But ultimately, Ryan is exonerated, and Ryan and Mateo become friends, too.
    — Victoria Edel, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
  • New information may also exonerate Titanic First Officer William Murdoch, who went down in history for allegedly abandoning his post.
    — Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 Apr. 2025
Definition of exonerate
Verb
  • The study was published in the Nature Journal Scientific Reports and was conducted at the University of Cincinnati.
    — Kate Linderman, Kansas City Star, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Police are also conducting an internal investigation, Schei said.
    — Alex Brizee, Idaho Statesman, 14 Apr. 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 22 Apr. 2025.

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