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

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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 However, he was acquitted of the more serious capital murder charge, as well as manslaughter. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026 Gates resigned in 1992 amid a groundswell of criticism over police abuse and his slow response to the riots that broke out in April of that year after four police officers were acquitted on charges of severely beating King, a Black motorist. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Among those tried was Anthony (Tony) White; though he had earlier been acquitted of any connection with the robbery, in October 1995 he was found liable, alongside McAvoy and Robinson, for the full £26 million value of the gold. — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 He was accused and convicted in the first trial, then acquitted, only to be charged again — through his associates — with being the Monster of Florence. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquit

Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquit

Verb

Rau filed a civil suit against Sadruddin’s family to clear his name, and blamed the Prince’s death on the doctors who had later treated him.

— D. T. Max, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026
The Secret Service wanted to know exactly who’d be out on the field with Bush, and Yankees catcher Jorge Posada had been vetted and cleared with facial recognition.

— Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of clear

Verb

During captive-carry testing, engineers can assess equipment carried by an aircraft before proceeding to more demanding flight demonstrations.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
For airlines, the larger plane offers a way to carry more passengers on a single flight, potentially lowering costs per seat.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of carry

Verb

Like scoops of an ocean unmarred by humans, quarts of seaweed soup sit next to other flavors like spicy beef and pine nut and soybean, a shade of creamy beige so calming, one glance is enough to effectively absolve the color of its dull reputation.

— Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Assigning responsibility for evil to human will also helps to absolve God.

— James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of absolve

Verb

The findings could help scientists understand the limits of Einstein’s theory of general relativity and investigate whether black holes can behave in ways that challenge our current understanding of the universe.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
In quantum physics, particles behave differently than us mortals.

— Shayla Love, Vox, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of behave

Verb

On the strength of those elections, restrained only marginally by the midterm elections of 1982, Reagan began his second term on top of the world.

— Ron Elving, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026
Security restrained Kruse’s arm behind her back while escorting her through the stands.

— Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of restrain

Verb

Trying to exonerate herself, Erin lays out this confusing defense about how her makeup guy heard about Sai’s divorce at a beauty event.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
Police questioned Mountbatten-Windsor for 11 hours before releasing him under investigation, meaning he was neither charged nor exonerated.

— Danica Kirka, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of exonerate

Verb

Kyiv has accused Russian forces of mining nearby roads and using the remaining residents as human shields to prevent Ukraine’s army from conducting offensive operations in the town.

— Yuliya Talmazan, NBC news, 27 Oct. 2026
Planning Commissioner Chris Salley asked if the city would conduct a fiscal impact study on each project where these incentives were offered and how would the city decide which project to subsidize.

— Marc Hayot, Arkansas Online, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of conduct

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“Acquit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquit. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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