accomplice

noun

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

Claudius is an accomplice to Hiram, running a drug dealing business where the Sisters of Quiet Mercy live. — Jasmine Gomez, Seventeen, "Every "Riverdale" Character That's Been Killed Off," 10 May 2019 This is the difference between an ally and an accomplice. — Brittany Packnett, Teen Vogue, "We Can’t Just Show Up For Social Justice Issues When It Impacts Our Own Lives," 21 Mar. 2019 Adaren Carter, then-21, and his cousin Jacob Maddox, then a 16-year-old Miller Grove High football player and considered an accomplice, were charged with felony murder. — Joshua Sharpe, ajc, "DeKalb high school football player accused of teen’s murder gets bond," 30 June 2018 At a coordinated time, the accomplices would withdraw funds from ATMs around the globe using these fake cards. — Shannon Liao, The Verge, "FBI warns of potential ATM bank heist that could steal millions globally," 14 Aug. 2018 The supporting players are even better; the veteran Barry infuses his stern but loving character with genuine gravitas, Beach is stolid as the parole officer who treats his ex-cons fairly, and Kay is a hoot as Sam's reluctant accomplice. — Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, "'No Postage Necessary': Film Review," 4 July 2018 According to a Washington Post article, in 2012 Gypsy met her first boyfriend and future murder accomplice, Nicholas Godejohn. — Alexis Jones, Marie Claire, "How True Is 'The Act'? The Hulu Series' Backstory Is Chilling," 20 Mar. 2019 His now-ex-girlfriend, Natalie Keepers, has been named as an accomplice. — Steve Helling, PEOPLE.com, "Va. Tech Athlete Who Lured 13-Year-Old to Her Stabbing Death to Hide Relationship Gets 50 Years," 27 June 2018 Emails show that federal prosecutors didn’t want the judge to know how many victims and accomplices there were. — Julie K. Brown, The Seattle Times, "Perversion of Justice: Even from jail, sex abuser manipulated the system. His victims were kept in the dark," 4 Dec. 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.

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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Statistics for accomplice

Last Updated

6 Jun 2019

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Time Traveler for accomplice

The first known use of accomplice was in 1584

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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