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 She was acquitted on a charge of evidence tampering. —

Brian Welk, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2024 In 2018, with evidence examined using new scientific procedures not available a decade earlier, Amor was acquitted and subsequently filed suit against Naperville and its officers. —

Tess Kenny, Chicago Tribune, 13 Sep. 2024 Four white police officers from the agency now known as the Miami-Dade Police Department beat to death black insurance salesman Arthur McDuffie and were acquitted, setting off one of the area's deadliest riots. —

Rebecca Falconer, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024 Virtually every other actor acquits themselves just as well. —

Alison Herman, Variety, 5 Sep. 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.

Cite this Entry

Style

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 18 Oct. 2024.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 7 Oct 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

zest

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Synonyms of acquit

verb

Synonym Chooser

Examples of acquit in a Sentence

Thesaurus Entries Near acquit

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on acquit

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

zest

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Weird Words for Autumn Time

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of acquit

verb

Synonym Chooser

Examples of acquit in a Sentence

Articles Related to acquit

Thesaurus Entries Near acquit

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on acquit

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

zest

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Plural and Possessive Names: A Guide

Every Letter Is Silent, Sometimes: A-Z List of Examples

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

More Commonly Misspelled Words

Popular in Wordplay

Weird Words for Autumn Time

8 Words with Fascinating Histories

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

10 Words from Taylor Swift Songs (Merriam's Version)

Games & Quizzes