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acquit

verb
ac·​quit | \ É™-ˈkwit How to pronounce acquit (audio) \
acquitted; acquitting

Definition of acquit

transitive verb

1 : to discharge completely (as from an accusation or obligation) The court acquitted the prisoner.
2 : to conduct (oneself) usually satisfactorily especially under stress The recruits acquitted themselves like veterans.
3a archaic : to pay off (something, such as a claim or debt)
b obsolete : repay, requite
Other Words from acquit Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about acquit

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Other Words from acquit

acquitter noun

Synonyms & Antonyms for acquit

Synonyms

absolve, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate

Antonyms

criminate, incriminate

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Choose the Right Synonym for acquit

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way. behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous. the children behaved in church conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself. conducted herself with unfailing good humor deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety. the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position. comported themselves as gentlemen acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations. acquitted herself well in her first assignment

exculpate, absolve, exonerate, acquit, vindicate mean to free from a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance. exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm 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 exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt. exonerated by the investigation acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge. voted to acquit the defendant 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

The jury acquitted the defendant because there wasn't enough evidence to convict him of the crime. acquitted of the robbery charge after proving he was nowhere near the scene of the crime

Recent Examples on the Web

 While Simpson was acquitted of the double murders of Brown and Goldman at his controversial 1995 trial, he was later found liable for their deaths at his civil trial. — Los Angeles Times, "Column: O.J. Simpson should not be celebrated on the USC campus," 31 Aug. 2019 Jose Inez Garcia-Zarate, who was in the U.S. illegally had been deported to his native Mexico five times, was acquitted in November 2017 of first and second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and assault with a semi-automatic weapon. — Samuel Chamberlain, Fox News, "California appeals court overturns sole conviction in Kate Steinle death," 31 Aug. 2019 In 2017, protests erupted after a white former St. Louis police officer was acquitted in the fatal 2011 shooting of a black man. — Anita Hassan, NBC News, "'It feels like nowhere is safe': St. Louis children confront a wave of gun violence," 29 Aug. 2019 In October 1995, tens of millions tuned in to watch the verdict, in which Simpson was acquitted. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "100 Figures Who Shaped the NFL’s First Century," 28 Aug. 2019 In the end, the jury took a little over two hours before acquitting Cleaves on all counts, prompting him to leap into the arms of Frank Manley and sob loudly in court. — John Wisely, Detroit Free Press, "How a Flint court battle became Mateen Cleaves' most divisive victory," 21 Aug. 2019 Simpson spent millions on his defense and, with 100 million people around the world watching the court proceedings, was acquitted of murder nine months later. — Chris Harris, PEOPLE.com, "A Brief History of Some of America's Most Notorious Televised Trials," 20 Aug. 2019 Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene at 8:09 p.m. A Jefferson County jury in October 2018 acquitted Woods in the 2016 shooting death of another man in the Norwood community. — Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, "30-year-old man identified as victim shot to death in Birmingham’s Norwood community," 14 Aug. 2019 Parker has maintained his innocence and was acquitted in a 2001 trial. — Joey Nolfi, EW.com, "Nate Parker's American Skin to premiere at Venice Film Festival," 7 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acquit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of acquit

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

History and Etymology for acquit

Middle English aquiten, borrowed from Anglo-French aquiter, from a-, prefix forming transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -quiter, verbal derivative of quite "free, discharged" — more at quit entry 1

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More Definitions for acquit

acquit

verb
How to pronounce acquit (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of acquit

: to decide that someone is not guilty of a crime

See the full definition for acquit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

acquit

verb
ac·​quit | \ É™-ˈkwit How to pronounce acquit (audio) \
acquitted; acquitting

Kids Definition of acquit

1 : to declare innocent of a crime or of wrongdoing
2 : to behave in a certain way You are to acquit yourselves as young ladies and gentlemen.

acquit

verb
ac·​quit | \ É™-ˈkwit How to pronounce acquit (audio) \
acquitted; acquitting

Legal Definition of acquit

transitive verb

: to discharge completely: as
a : to release from liability for a debt or other obligation —usually used in agreements forever release, acquit, and discharge each other
b

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