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 next

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

Relevance

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

Examples of acquit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Haley was also convicted of violating Nichols' civil rights by causing bodily injury and of conspiring to witness tamper, charges on which Smith and Bean were acquitted. —

Liam Quinn, People.com, 4 Oct. 2024 Bean and Smith were acquitted of civil rights charges, while Haley was convicted of the lesser charge of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing bodily injury. —

Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2024 Haley was acquitted of violating Nichols’ civil rights causing death, but convicted of the lesser charge of violating his civil rights causing bodily injury. —

Adrian Sainz, TIME, 4 Oct. 2024 On Thursday, a judge acquitted two environmental activists who glued themselves to a J.M.W. Turner painting at Manchester Art Gallery in July 2022. —

George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 4 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acquit

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acquit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.