accomplice
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of accomplice
First recorded in 1475–85; a(c) of uncertain origin + late Middle English complice, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin complici- (stem of complex ) “partner”; see complex
Explanation
An accomplice is a cooperator or participator, commonly in criminal acts. So you’re an accomplice to the gas station robbery if you distracted the store manager while your partner in crime raided the registers for cash. Coming from the Old French word complice, which means “a confederate,” an accomplice is an ally or partaker, sometimes in wrongdoing. Novelist Saul Bellow famously said that "when we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.” What he means, in more direct terms, is that we run potential plans by others because we're looking for approval or someone to go along with us, not because we truly want their opinion.
Vocabulary lists containing accomplice
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Tuck Everlasting
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Wednesday Wars
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
According to the Justice Department, Do and an accomplice tried to export 292 loggerhead musk turtles to Taiwan.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2026
Lam allegedly saw the man had an account with Gemini, a crypto brokerage, and an accomplice posing as a Gemini representative then called the investor.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 24, 2026
This law encompasses everyone involved in that felony, holding them equally responsible under a doctrine called accomplice liability.
From Slate ● Mar. 6, 2026
At first, Zamora was helped by an accomplice, a technician for Portugal’s national flag carrier TAP—the company that would ultimately uncover the scam.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 23, 2026
Although Scythe Faraday had not, since that first day, asked them to be the life-taking hand, being an accomplice was difficult enough.
From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman
The two men were investigated as possible accomplices in the Monaco attack based on information that they "repeatedly transferred funds" to Berezovska's "crypto and bank accounts".
From BBC ● Jul. 7, 2026
Bušić and his accomplices were taken into custody by Parisian authorities and then sent to the United States.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
Bryant, who was identified by DNA testing, did not name his accomplices, media present in the courtroom reported Monday.
From Barron's ● Apr. 27, 2026
Many are believed to be eager to become “snitches” against former accomplices, including crooked politicians and cops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026
Yogi’s known accomplices, such as Boo-Boo, might be asked to come up with an alibi.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
