accomplice

noun

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ac·com·plice | \ ə-ˈkäm-pləs

, -ˈkəm-

Definition of accomplice

: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing was convicted as an accomplice to murder

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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 Rodgers' brother and alleged accomplice, Lamonte Loggins, 29, remained at the Shelby County Jail in Memphis, Tenn., where the pair was arrested by authorities in early December. — Michelle Hunter | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, "Suspect in slaying of Kenner store clerk back in Jefferson Parish to face murder charge," 21 Dec. 2020 Her boyfriend and an accomplice robbed and shot the grocer and father of four. — Washington Post, "Maryland’s longest-serving female prisoner is set free amid coronavirus concerns," 14 Dec. 2020 Her boyfriend and an accomplice robbed and shot and the grocer and father of four. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "‘Worthy of mercy’: Maryland’s longest-serving woman behind bars wins her freedom amid coronavirus concerns," 14 Dec. 2020 The couple was then locked in the trunk of their car, when Bernard's accomplice, Christopher Vialva, shot both victims in the head, killing Todd instantly. — Paulina Smolinski And Clare Hymes, CBS News, "Brandon Bernard executed for role in 1999 murder of couple," 11 Dec. 2020 This follows a titanic fistfight—Maria is a Finnish Mike Tyson—that goes unheard by anyone downstairs because Maria’s ostensible accomplice, Julius ( Olavi Uusivirta ), is treating the embassy crowd to some piano-smashing boogie-woogie. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘Shadow Lines’ Review: Espionage in Reindeer Country," 23 Dec. 2020 Prosecutors asked the courts to set free Eraina Pretty, 61, who spent more than 40 years in prison for her role as an accomplice in two 1970s killings. — Tim Prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore man spent 19 years — nearly half his life — behind bars for a shooting he didn’t do. Tuesday he won freedom.," 15 Dec. 2020 The Baltimore woman served more than four decades behind bars for her part as a teenage accomplice in two 1970s murders. — Washington Post, "Maryland’s longest-serving female prisoner is set free amid coronavirus concerns," 14 Dec. 2020 Bernard was 18 when he was arrested as an accomplice in the 1999 abduction and murder of two youth ministers in Texas. — NBC News, "U.S. executes second federal inmate in as many days," 12 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'accomplice.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for accomplice

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.

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Last Updated

15 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Accomplice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplice. Accessed 26 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for accomplice

accomplice

noun

English Language Learners Definition of accomplice

: a person who works with or helps someone who is doing something wrong or illegal

See the full definition for accomplice in the English Language Learners Dictionary

accomplice

noun

ac·com·plice | \ ə-ˈkäm-pləs

Kids Definition of accomplice

: a partner in wrongdoing

accomplice

noun

ac·com·plice | \ ə-ˈkäm-pləs, -ˈkəm-

Legal Definition of accomplice

: 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

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