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

Both trials ended in mistrials, with all of the white jurors voting to convict and all of the black jurors voting to acquit.

From The Daily Beast

She and many others believed that Tuesday, when the court ruled to acquit all 13 defendants, was that day.

From The Daily Beast

But based on the testimony, the evidence and the language of the law, it would have been hard for me to vote to acquit.

From The Daily Beast

And it shows they were almost unanimously inclined to acquit right from jump.

From The Daily Beast

In March of this year, a jury here took just 45 minutes to acquit Tiller of charges that he performed 19 illegal abortions.

From The Daily Beast

I will tell you later what from the bottom of my heart I wish you to do to acquit the debt we shall contract towards him.

From Project Gutenberg

Curiosity to see how she would acquit herself under the circumstances ran high.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet, knowing how to make the most of their limited stock of knowledge, they acquit themselves well in conversation.

From Project Gutenberg

But, more quickly than he had thought of charging her with this—(he was only an ordinary young man)—he had to acquit her again.

From Project Gutenberg

I did, but that isn't evidence that will acquit him in court of being a road agent.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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