acquit

[ uh-kwit ]

verb (used with object)

, ac·quit·ted, ac·quit·ting.

1. to relieve from a charge of fault or crime; declare not guilty:

   They acquitted him of the crime. The jury acquitted her, but I still think she's guilty.

   Synonyms: vindicate, exonerate, exculpate

   Antonyms: convict

2. to release or discharge (a person) from an obligation.

   Synonyms: free

3. to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).
4. to bear or conduct (oneself); behave:

   He acquitted himself well in battle.

5. to free or clear (oneself):

   He acquitted himself of suspicion.

acquit

/ əˈkwɪt /

verb

1. foll by of
   1. to free or release (from a charge of crime)
   2. to pronounce not guilty
2. foll by of to free or relieve (from an obligation, duty, responsibility, etc)
3. to repay or settle (something, such as a debt or obligation)
4. to perform (one's part); conduct (oneself)

Derived Forms

• acˈquitter, noun

Other Words From

• ac·quit·ter noun
• pre·ac·quit verb (used with object) preacquitted preacquitting

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquit¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English aquiten, from Anglo-French, Old French (ac)quiter, derivative, with a(c)- “toward” ( ac- ), from quite “free of obligations,” from Medieval Latin quit(t)us, Latin quiētus ( quiet ); quit ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of acquit¹

C13: from Old French aquiter, from quiter to release, free from, quit

Synonym Study

See absolve.

Example Sentences

County sheriff’s deputy, jurors voted to acquit.

From Los Angeles Times

In the end, despite an uncharacteristically fiery condemnation of Trump after the Jan. 6 insurrection, McConnell voted to acquit the outgoing president.

From Salon

"Even if I suspect the accused probably committed the offence charged… I must acquit."

From BBC

He ended the 1924 Beer Hall Putsch trial, in which he was convicted of treason and sentenced to five years in prison, with the ominous warning to the judge: “You can declare us guilty a thousand times, but the eternal court of history will tear up the indictment and conviction with a smile and will acquit us.”

From Salon

So even though there was no real question as to whether they did the things they were accused of doing — they admitted that they did — they thought it shouldn't be a crime, and people chose to acquit them.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolve
• clear
• discharge
• exonerate
• free
• let go
• vindicate