acquit

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb acquit differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of acquit are absolve, exculpate, exonerate, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to free from a charge," acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.

voted to acquit the defendant

When might absolve be a better fit than acquit?

While the synonyms absolve and acquit are close in meaning, absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.

cannot be absolved of blame

When can exculpate be used instead of acquit?

In some situations, the words exculpate and acquit are roughly equivalent. However, exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.

exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm

When is it sensible to use exonerate instead of acquit?

While in some cases nearly identical to acquit, exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.

exonerated by the investigation

When could vindicate be used to replace acquit?

The words vindicate and acquit are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, vindicate may refer to things as well as persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame.

her judgment was vindicated

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of acquit Igor Danchenko was acquitted in October 2022 of five counts of lying to investigators. Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025 Combs was acquitted of those charges, though he was convicted on two counts of interstate prostitution. Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 24 Sep. 2025 So what if she’s been acquitted in not one, but two murder trials. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 Many expected Combs would secure release on bond after being acquitted of the more serious charges, but Judge Subramanian denied the request, leaning heavily on Combs’ own admissions of domestic violence. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit
Verb
  • Manes’ defenders pointed out she had been cleared by the internal inquiry and was implementing a policy dictated from Washington.
    T. Christian Miller, ProPublica, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Southwest Airlines Flight 2493 was waiting to take off on San Diego International Airport’s Runway 27, when controllers cleared a Cessna Citation private jet to land on the same runway, CNN reported at the time.
    Aaron Cooper, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Refrain from entering water that might carry an electric current and avoid walking through floodwaters.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 5 Oct. 2025
  • James Peoples added seven carries for 59 yards, including a 33-yarder.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In response, Clarkson burst into laughter and threw her hands in the air, as if she were absolved of her grief.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Khan, who led the agency in bringing the lawsuit against Amazon, suggested that the FTC had absolved the company of its full culpability by agreeing to settle.
    Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The powder boasts a natural finish and photo-friendly formula that behaved beautifully under the cameras of both weddings.
    Francesca Krempa, StyleCaster, 30 Sep. 2025
  • After a summer where player power and conduct dominated the transfer window talking points, Guehi demonstrated exactly how a professional should behave.
    Rob Tanner, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • You’d be forgiven for not knowing, since MotoGP, despite being the most prestigious motorcycle racing series in the world, is still a niche sport.
    Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 6 Oct. 2025
  • You’ll be forgiven for not spending a lot of time thinking about zip ties.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Video shows the moment an officer in camouflage and tactical gear approaches an individual, after which another officer tackles the person, restrains them with plastic handcuffs, and leads them away.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Are assassins like Kirk’s killer simply pathological outliers among agitated but otherwise self-restrained populations?
    Ron Barrett, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • This isn’t meant to fully exonerate Winnipeg’s scouting staff or development team.
    Murat Ates, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Then, in 2003, he was exonerated and released from prison when DNA evidence pinned the crime on a different man.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The research, conducted without her knowledge, was commissioned by a potential political rival, according to the person who carried out the opposition research, who asked for anonymity because the poll was a private survey.
    Romina Ruiz-Goiriena, USA Today, 4 Oct. 2025
  • The ride system manufacturer and an independent, third-party roller coaster engineering expert conducted their own on-site testing of the vehicle.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.

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