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

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

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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

Example 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 He was acquitted of first-degree murder by the jury in Anchorage, Alaska, and appeared emotionless when the verdict was announced, the outlets reported. — Nicole Acosta, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 Babeuf was betrayed by an informant, put on trial in 1797, and eventually acquitted of conspiracy, but he was executed for committing his ideas about inequality to print. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026 On Wednesday, a Wayne County jury acquitted Hamtramck City Councilmember Mohammed Hassan of both felony counts of election law forgery and forging a signature on an absentee ballot application. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 1 July 2026 The Hall of Fame running back was accused of the 1994 double murder of his former wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ron Goldman, but Simpson was acquitted in a jury trial that lasted eight months and captured the nation’s attention. — Matt Moret, New York Times, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit

Verb

The gateway earns its place where an integration is shared, permissioned, observable or reused across many agents, and buyers should be honest about how much of their tool access clears that bar.

— Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 6 July 2026
During first-half stoppage time, Mexicos’ César Montes received the ball inside the six-yard box, but Bellingham cleared what looked like a certain goal.

— Eduard Cauich, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026

Definition of clear

Verb

Just assume that any animal is going to carry disease, and rabies is one of them.

— Kelli Arseneau, USA Today, 1 July 2026
Fujimori’s presidency marks a return of her family’s political brand to Peru’s highest office — a movement that has long carried a complicated relationship with the United States.

— Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

Shoppers note that the shorts are roomy and don’t bunch up, and that the elastic waistband is forgiving even while bloated.

— Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 1 July 2026
Debt settlement can negatively affect your credit score, and forgiven debt may have tax implications in some situations.

— Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 July 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

In California…there has been little success in restraining these abuses over the past decade.

— Teri Sforza, Oc Register, 5 July 2026
Croc Docs researcher Eric Suarez and Cole with the SFWMD restrained the python while Welty drew blood from a vein near the base of her tail.

— Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

Though Cady has made some gestures toward helping the Bowdens, like his behind-the-scenes effort to get one of Anna’s death-row clients exonerated last week, Tom and Anna should not be so dumb as to ignore his ulterior motives.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 26 June 2026
The four men were exonerated in February after investigators linked another man, Robert Eugene Brashers, to the killings.

— Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 26 June 2026

Definition of exonerate

Verb

The Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office used its interior drone, along with the New Jersey Urban Search and Rescue K-9 teams, to conduct sweeps of the building.

— Drew Pittock, USA Today, 7 July 2026
If you're approved and accept your offer, a credit check may be conducted, which could impact your credit score.

— Jason Stauffer, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Definition of conduct

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“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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