accomplice

noun ac·com·plice \ ə-ˈkäm-pləs , -ˈkəm- \

|Updated on: 15 Aug 2018

Examples: accomplice in a Sentence

Definition of accomplice

: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing

was convicted as an accomplice to murder

See accomplice defined for English-language learners

See accomplice defined for kids

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 of accomplice from the Web

Reggiani’s five-month murder trial began in May 1998, more than a year after her arrest, ending that November with her conviction along with four accomplices.

— adam carlson, PEOPLE.com, "Decades After Hit Man Killed Gucci Mogul, the Ex-Wife Convicted of His Murder Speaks Out," 13 July 2018
Twenty-three years later, on July 6th, Shoko Asahara, the bearded guru who masterminded this atrocity, was hanged, along with six accomplices.

— The Economist, "On the hanging of Shoko Asahara, Japan’s nerve-gas guru," 12 July 2018
Many were shopkeepers or working at Turkish fast-food restaurants when they were gunned down by Zschaepe’s two accomplices — Uwe Boehnhardt and Uwe Mundlos.

— erik kirschbaum, latimes.com, "German Neo-Nazi found guilty of murder in execution-style slayings of migrants," 11 July 2018
Then in early April, Batiste and two accomplices robbed Black Widow tattoo parlor, firing 16 shots and killing the owner.

— keri blakinger, Houston Chronicle, "Harris County death row inmate convicted of killing man over tire rims denied federal appeal," 9 July 2018
Faid was convicted of the murder of the policewoman, along with two accomplices.

— travis fedschun, Fox News, "Notorious French criminal escapes from prison using helicopter, sparks massive manhunt around Paris," 1 July 2018
Police say the same teen crashed a car and ran from the seen with accomplices.

— jesse leavenworth, Courant Community, "Manchester Official Calls For Teen Curfew, Police Crack Down On Car Thieves," 21 June 2018
Laguerre and two accomplices drove back to scene after the fist fight, armed with an assault rifle and handgun.

— jared gilmour, miamiherald, "Man guilty of murder didn’t hear the verdict — because he escaped during lunch break, Ga. cops say | Miami Herald," 1 May 2018
Hamm gave police a confession and he was convicted after two accomplices testified against him in exchange for being allowed to plead guilty to lesser offenses, according to court documents.

— CBS News, "Alabama inmate endured "torture" during botched execution, attorney says," 5 Mar. 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of 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.

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1584

in the meaning defined above

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accomplice Synonyms

Synonyms

abettor (also abetter), accessory (also accessary), cohort, confederate;

evidence, state's evidence;

companion, comrade, crony, henchman, partner;

conspirator, plotter, traitor;

gangster, mobster, racketeer;

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

ACCOMPLICE Defined for English Language Learners

accomplice

noun

Definition of accomplice for English Language Learners

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

ACCOMPLICE Defined for Kids

accomplice

noun ac·com·plice \ ə-ˈkäm-pləs \

Definition of accomplice for Students

: a partner in wrongdoing

Law Dictionary

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

Origin and Etymology of accomplice

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