accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs  -ˈkəm- 

: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing

was convicted as an accomplice to murder

Synonyms

• henchman
• cohort
• accessary
• partner
• accessory
• abettor
• informant
• companion

Examples of accomplice in a Sentence

He was convicted as an accomplice to murder.

the thief and his accomplices were eventually caught and brought to justice

Recent Examples on the Web

The footage shows a state official and two accomplices attempting to evict members of the indigenous Chuschagasta community from their land in northern Argentina. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2025

His staff and accomplices transported girls from Manhattan, Palm Beach and all over the world to his various homes from the early 1990s until his indictment in 2019. —Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2025

Gary Riley’s most recognizable film role is Charlie Hogan, Billy’s hapless accomplice in Stand by Me. —Sezin Devi Koehler September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025

The release of the initial batch of files to Congress on Friday came on the same day that the Justice Department released new transcripts from its interview last month with Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. —Erin Doherty, CNBC, 23 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French acomplice, alteration of complice "associate" — more at complice

Note: The source of initial a(c)- is unclear. The earlier notion that a- represents fusion of the indefinite article cannot be maintained given the much earlier occurrences of the word in Anglo-French (in a 1384 petition of the Drapers guild, and in vol. 2 of the Rotuli Parliamentorum [1279-1377]). The suggestion that complice has been assimilated to accomplir, "to fulfill, etc.," (see accomplish) is not very compelling semantically.

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs  -ˈkəm- 

: someone associated with another in wrongdoing

Legal Definition

accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs, -ˈkəm- 

: one who intentionally and voluntarily participates with another in a crime by encouraging or assisting in the commission of the crime or by failing to prevent it though under a duty to do so

the accomplice of the burglar

an accomplice in a robbery

Etymology

alteration (from incorrect division of a complice) of complice, from Middle French, associate, from Late Latin complic- complex partner, confederate