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 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 This sort of thing happens all the time; people are arrested and then have their cases dismissed, or are acquitted, or never have charges filed at all. —

New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 Jan. 2025 Last year, the attorney general of Texas was impeached on 16 charges and acquitted on all of them even though there was compelling evidence of his guilt. —

Letters To The Editor, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025 Gustafsson has enough size, strength and hockey sense to acquit himself well on the fourth line. —

Murat Ates, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025 The ruling comes after Peterson was acquitted in 2023 of criminal charges of child neglect, culpable negligence and perjury related to the shooting, which killed 17 people and injured dozens more. —

Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for acquit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit

Verb

Regula isn’t on the roster, so the Oilers would have to add him and his $775,000 cap hit when he’s cleared to play.

— Daniel Nugent-Bowman, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Locals face stronger home-hardening requirements and hefty fines for failing to clear the brush from their yards.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 24 Jan. 2025