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 And when the state Legislature sought to impeach him for the same allegations of corruption that spurred the federal investigation, the Texas Senate acquitted him of 16 charges of bribery, abuse of office and obstruction – charges that more than 70% of his own party had supported in the House. Kayla Guo, ProPublica, 4 Apr. 2025 The motion covers a litany of issues that arose during Madigan’s marathon, four-month trial, which ended in February with a split-verdict that saw the former speaker convicted of a wide-ranging bribery conspiracy but acquitted on other counts. Ray Long, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025 Given that context, the Wave acquitted themselves nicely in Saturday’s 2-1 loss at Inter&Co Stadium. Ryan Finley, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025 Cynthia was convicted at trial of child neglect but acquitted of murder, the Washington Post reported; Dominique pleaded guilty in November to child neglect charges. Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for acquit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit
Verb
  • After an awkward collision during the fourth inning of the Baltimore Orioles' 5-4 win over the New York Yankees on Wednesday, tempers flared, and the benches cleared.
    Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2025
  • Benches cleared in Baltimore after Heston Kjerstad took exception to Pablo Reyes’ attempt to field a throw from Austin Wells.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • One that carries more weight with the context of the previous episode, in which Gibbs discovered that his VA support group leader was Sandman, a deadly sniper the team has been hunting since the pilot.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Macdonald-King said the new charging facility is designed to serve as a transfer point between the specialized trucks that carry freight from the port and other trucks that ply the interstate highways to the east and north.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Visiting the Nova Exhibition as Tollett did doesn’t absolve him of responsibility.
    Lee Trink, HollywoodReporter, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Postecoglou can perhaps absolve himself of a portion of the blame for some, if not all, of Wolves’ goals.
    Elias Burke, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The new infotainment human-machine interface was a little confusing at first; pairing my phone took about 10 minutes but worked out in the end, and wireless Apple CarPlay behaved itself throughout the week.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2025
  • Several viewers have shared their own opinions on what the goldendoodle's decision to stay downstairs with the man means, while others have expressed how similarly their own pets behave, or poked fun at the viral moment, causing joy among viewers.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Clear communication with borrowers One can forgive borrowers for being confused in this moment.
    Preston Cooper, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • Indeed, you could be forgiven for growing slightly cynical of the big pledges, glossy roadmaps, endless subsidy schemes, and constant climate conferences.
    Antoine Rostand, Time, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration has characterized that role as one for suckers, in which the United States restrained its hard power and allowed other countries to bleed its wealth.
    Margaret MacMillan, The Atlantic, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The amateur gangsters, with nicknames like Old Omar and Blue Eyes, used tape and velcro to restrain Kardashian and left their DNA everywhere.
    Eleanor Beardsley, NPR, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Since 1973, at least 200 innocent people have been exonerated due to wrongful convictions.
    Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Apr. 2025
  • In the past three decades, the state has exonerated 11 people facing execution, among the highest such numbers in the country, according to The National Registry of Exonerations.
    Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 25 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The poll, conducted among 1,678 people, found that 35% approve of his handling of inflation and only 39% approve of his handling of the economy.
    Callie Patteson, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The study conducted by Icelandair analyzed some of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe in order to determine the best cities for a holiday romance.
    Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 5 May. 2025.

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