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

Examples 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 Jackson and his estate have long maintained his innocence, including during his 2005 criminal trial for child molestation for which he was acquitted. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 3 Jan. 2025 He was then acquitted in the Senate, with 57 senators voting to convict him, short of the two-thirds needed in the 100-member chamber. Colleen Long, Los Angeles Times, 2 Jan. 2025 Court records show Tucker was indicted in 2018 on counts of complicity to commit arson and insurance fraud, but was ultimately acquitted of those charges at trial. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 30 Dec. 2024 Matt Doherty has acquitted himself superbly since moving into the back three but remains a makeshift option. Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for acquit 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit
Verb
  • An alum of the 2014 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, Sarna succeeded in developing the first and only device cleared by the FDA to collect cells from fallopian tubes, offering a potential early diagnosis for ovarian cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer deaths among women.
    Alex Konrad, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • While smoke has cleared in most of the areas impacted by the Eaton and Palisades Fires, evacuations and curfews… pic.twitter.com/oxaXFZ9Gjo — CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) January 13, 2025 The wildfires have burned more than 40,000 acres so far across Southern California, Cal Fire said.
    Sarah Lynch Baldwin, CBS News, 13 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Without Flowers last week, the Ravens leaned heavily on Henry (26 carries for 186 yards and two touchdowns) and five pass catchers had multiple receptions.
    Mike Jones, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
  • In one, five women in white hanbok, carrying bundles of white laundry on their heads, form a tight, diagonal spiral (in response to gusts of wind?) against dark fields of grass and cropland.
    E. Tammy Kim, The New Yorker, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • PinkNews journalist Amelia Hansford criticizes the movie for portraying the titular character’s gender transition as a moral decision to absolve her of her past sins.
    Conor Murray, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
  • Washington — President Trump on Monday granted clemency to roughly 1,500 defendants who had been convicted of crimes on Jan. 6, 2021, following through on his longtime promise to absolve those who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol of wrongdoing.
    Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Those who turned inward eventually implode and behave in unthinkable ways.
    Tamara Conniff, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The differences don’t end there—the researchers also argue that Pluto and Charon are less likely to behave like fluid during a collision.
    Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Hilarity ensued, and, forgive the spoilers, things did not end up the way everyone may have wanted.
    Rob Salkowitz, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Fassbender may be too obviously statuesque for real spycraft, but his performance of an agent cracking under the weight of existential turmoil is so hypnotic that one forgives the incongruous casting choice.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Personnel restrained Owens and the flight departing from that gate was delayed, according to the statement.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Jan. 2025
  • When Collins swatted Acevedo’s hand away, he was restrained and punched repeatedly by Zapata for about nine seconds until other officers intervened, urging their supervisor to back down.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Man Who Killed Meredith Kercher, Amanda Knox's Roommate in Italy, Is Freed from Prison Finally in 2015, the pair were officially exonerated by the Cassation Court, Italy’s highest court, PEOPLE previously reported.
    KC Baker, People.com, 23 Jan. 2025
  • In April 2024, more than 12 years after Melissa's conviction — with no success in the court system — Zellner filed a clemency petition asking Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker to exonerate Melissa or release her for time served.
    Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • While not much polling has been conducted in the race yet, the early surveys show Adams has a significant deficit to make up for.
    Jared Gans, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
  • At its peak, Silk Road functioned as a global drug bazaar, with transactions conducted largely in bitcoin.
    MacKenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 22 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near acquit

Cite this Entry

“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

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