accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs  -ˈkəm- 

: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing

was convicted as an accomplice to murder

Synonyms of accomplice

• henchman
• cohort
• partner
• accessory
• abettor
• informant
• informer
• 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 request came earlier this month in an amicus brief the lawmakers filed in the criminal case against Epstein’s former girlfriend and accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, whose files are also required to be released under the law. —Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2026

In Biden’s four-year term, evidence was gathered, a case was prepared and the prosecution was implemented against Epstein’s sinister accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026

Investigators later found that Toland-Hall was hired via the Uber app by the scammer or an accomplice to pick up a package from Brock, according to the suit. —Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 19 Jan. 2026

Advertisement Jimmy Thesiger, in turn, is revealed to be Loraine’s accomplice. —Isadora Wandermurem, Time, 15 Jan. 2026

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