Synonyms of acquit

acquit

verb

ə-ˈkwit 

1

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

• clear
• absolve
• forgive
• exonerate
• vindicate
• release
• liberate
• exculpate
• redeem
• discharge
• avenge
• excuse
• pardon
• expiate
• atone (for)
• condone
• remit
• redress
• unburden
• revenge
• whitewash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• incriminate
• accuse
• charge
• impeach
• indict
• convict
• criminate
• arraign

2

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

• carry
• behave
• restrain
• conduct
• handle
• compose
• contain
• deport
• comport
• quit
• demean
• bear
• collect
• play
• constrain
• check
• act
• inhibit
• control
• curb
• temper
• repress
• moderate
• quiet
• modulate
• impersonate

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• misconduct
• carry on
• cut up
• misbehave
• act up

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

Recent Examples of acquit

Yolo Superior Court jurors deliberated for weeks at Dominguez’s initial 2025 trial in the stabbings that paralyzed Davis before acquitting him on one murder count and failing to reach a verdict on a second murder count. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026

With little other evidence, the jury acquitted the players in fewer than three hours. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 July 2026

Over the four-hour docuseries, viewers hear from Combs’ accusers, longtime collaborators, a childhood best friend and — for the first time — two of the jurors who helped acquit him of the federal charges that could have sent him to prison for life. — Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026

Yanez was charged with second-degree manslaughter but was acquitted by a jury in 2017. — Tyler Quattrin, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026