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 Months after a guilty verdict, a federal judge has acquitted former House Speaker Glen Casada and a former top aide on three counts of public corruption, but declined to acquit the men on more than a dozen other charges. Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Sep. 2025 Ultimately, the Bundys and five others were acquitted of all charges after jurors said prosecutors failed to prove their intent. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 Sep. 2025 In December, the 61-year-old was found guilty of DUI, negligent driving, failure to control speed to avoid a collision and failure to notify of a change in address, but she was acquitted of reckless driving, following a March car accident, the state's attorney's office previously confirmed. Jay Stahl, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2025 The jury acquitted Catarino on two additional counts of armed criminal action. Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit
Verb
  • Martinez was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays last week as the team needed to clear a 40-man roster spot.
    Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Volunteers will work with Clean Vibes crew members and fellow volunteers to clear the venue and vending areas of all event litter and debris.
    Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At around the same time, a tall, college-aged man carrying a black backpack made his way up the stairwell of the nearby Losee Center, a four-story concrete building that houses the student welcome center, among other things.
    Rick Jervis, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
  • Green had 2 carries for 21 yards on the possession, and his 15-yard pass to Jalen Brown on second-and-10 was a key play early in the drive.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Mahomes isn’t absolved from that.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 6 Sep. 2025
  • The claim from former LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley against Bass and the city says that the mayor used her position to absolve herself of responsibility for the fires by defaming Crowley.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The bill conflates ethics with tax relief and reinforces the idea that lawmakers need a sweet treat to behave ethically.
    Andrew Leahey, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Virtually nothing was known about how chimpanzees behaved in the wild at that time.
    Keith Matheny, Freep.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • If a Manchester United fan missed this game (good call, by the way) and just looked at the post-match stats, they could be forgiven for thinking their boys put up a decent display.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Both characters struggle to forgive themselves for past mistakes and are reluctant to dive back into relationships.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The woman and the infant, who wasn’t restrained, were thrown from the vehicle.
    Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The malnourished woman ran to a neighbor’s house and said she had been restrained in the man’s basement.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Proctor also investigated the Walshe case and other criminal cases in Norfolk County and those defense attorneys are fighting to get information from Proctor’s phone backup archives that could exonerate their clients.
    Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • And if the investigation exonerates Ballmer, will fans accept that outcome?
    Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since marrying Horace at the end of Episode 1, Kimmie has conducted extensive research on Beauty in Black and has been under the mentorship of her husband, who is still alive and currently in Italy, undergoing experimental cancer treatment.
    Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 13 Sep. 2025
  • But this year, their sense of safety was shattered when two regional powers conducted a direct strike on a Gulf country for the first time.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN Money, 13 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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