ACQUIT Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

acquit

verb

ə-ˈkwit

Definition of acquit

as in to clear

to free from a charge of wrongdoing acquitted of the robbery charge after proving he was nowhere near the scene of the crime

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to carry

to manage the actions of (oneself) in a particular way the king promised handsome rewards to all who acquitted themselves well in the battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Lindsay Clancy's attorney is pushing for her to be acquitted of triple-murder charges days after a Massachusetts judge declared a mistrial in the case. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 Jurors had the option to convict Clancy of first-degree murder, second-degree murder or manslaughter or acquit her owing to lack of criminal responsibility. — Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 9 Sep. 2026 Beatty was cast as the infamous murder suspect Lizzie Borden, who was charged with murdering her father and stepmother in 1892 but ultimately acquitted. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026 One of the jurors reportedly identified in the Lindsay Clancy trial is a supporter of Karen Read, the woman acquitted last year in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police Officer John O'Keefe. — Adam Sabes, FOXNews.com, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit

Verb

Bouwman went in to clear a bouncing ball with his head before Van Bommel jumped into the challenge and his back connected with force with the Netherlands youth international in the air.

— Ali Rampling, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
The site will be temporarily covered to protect it from rainwater, and one company has been chosen to clear some of the waste while a long-term plan is drafted.

— Darko Bandic, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of clear

Verb

West Virginia’s Cam Cook — the nation’s leading rusher last season — is the only other running back with 30 carries in a game this year.

— The Athletic College Football Staff, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
The biggest aircraft in the fleet, Boeing’s 767-300F, typically carries about 116,000 lbs.

— Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

The man then bit Mejia and attempted to bite Olenick, which prompted the three men to start using duct tape from a flight attendant to restrain him, both men said.

— Taylor Galgano, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
At that point, Mejia and Olenick jumped in to restrain the man in his seat using duct tape and zip ties provided by a flight attendant.

— Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

Myers hadn’t seen Fred since childhood, but the two reunited after he was exonerated, and the relationship was a rare touchpoint in Fred’s otherwise transient life.

— Megan Rose, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026
Crime, courts and policing A man falsely imprisoned for 18 years was exonerated of an Orange County robbery.

— Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of exonerate

Verb

After Sandusky’s conviction, Penn State hired former FBI director Louis Freeh to conduct its internal investigation into how the school responded to McQueary.

— Andy Rose, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026
Silicon cannot conduct ions; hence, any signal detected by the microscope showed that surface topography generated the measurement artifacts instead of actual ion movement.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of conduct

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“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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