accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs How to pronounce accomplice (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing
was convicted as an accomplice to murder

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 Phillips also directs the new musical, which follows the Batman villain’s romance, played by Joaquin Phoenix, with his eventual accomplice, Harley Quinn. Hannah Malach, WWD, 1 Oct. 2024 Lutz found willing accomplices in design chief Tom Gale and engineering boss Francois Castaing, and their Viper concept stole the 1989 Detroit Auto Show. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 28 Sep. 2024 Richmond was arrested along with an accomplice, 32-year-old Heather Auditor, in July 2023 after his Husky was found dead in an alley. Miguel Torres, The Arizona Republic, 27 Sep. 2024 Littlejohn has admitted to his role in the robbery but has maintained that his accomplice was the one to pull the trigger, not him. James Powel, USA TODAY, 25 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for accomplice 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accomplice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of accomplice was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near accomplice

Cite this Entry

“Accomplice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplice. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

accomplice

noun
ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs How to pronounce accomplice (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
: someone associated with another in wrongdoing

Legal Definition

accomplice

noun
ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs, -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on accomplice

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