acquit

[uh-kwit]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR acquit ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), ac·quit·ted, ac·quit·ting.

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.

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

to settle or satisfy (a debt, obligation, claim, etc.).

to bear or conduct (oneself); behave: He acquitted himself well in battle.

to free or clear (oneself): He acquitted himself of suspicion.

Origin of acquit

1200–50; Middle English aquiten < Anglo-French, Old French a(c)quiter, derivative, with a(c)- ac-, of quite free of obligations < Medieval Latin quit(t)us, Latin quiētus quiet¹; cf. quit¹

Related formsac·quit·ter, nounpre·ac·quit, verb (used with object), pre·ac·quit·ted, pre·ac·quit·ting.un·ac·quit·ted, adjective

Can be confusedacquitted innocent nolo contendere (see synonym study at innocent)

Synonyms for acquit

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR acquit ON THESAURUS.COM

1. exculpate. 2. free.

Synonym study

1. See absolve.

Antonyms for acquit

1. convict.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for acquit

vindicate, clear, absolve, free, discharge, exonerate, exculpate, relieve, whitewash, deliver, excuse, release, liberate, perform, conduct, comport, bear, act, carry, deport

Examples from the Web for acquit

Contemporary Examples of acquit

Both trials ended in mistrials, with all of the white jurors voting to convict and all of the black jurors voting to acquit.
Curtis Flowers: Mississippi's Marked Man
Paul Alexander
June 29, 2013
She and many others believed that Tuesday, when the court ruled to acquit all 13 defendants, was that day.
Argentina Erupts Over Acquittal in Marita Verón Case
Scott C. Johnson
December 14, 2012
But based on the testimony, the evidence and the language of the law, it would have been hard for me to vote to acquit.
If Porn Isn’t Art, Does It Still Have a Right to Exist?
Michael Stabile
May 2, 2012
And it shows they were almost unanimously inclined to acquit right from jump.
Casey Jury Brainwash
Marcia Clark
July 8, 2011
In March of this year, a jury here took just 45 minutes to acquit Tiller of charges that he performed 19 illegal abortions.
A Murder in Wichita
Joe Stumpe
June 1, 2009

Historical Examples of acquit

Edricson, if God spare you, I think that you will acquit yourself well.
The White Company
Arthur Conan Doyle
In this way, and in this way only, he may acquit himself and free others from the work of legislation.
Laws
Plato
Don't forget that if you acquit him, you'll be sorely puzzled to convict the other.'
Maurice Tiernay Soldier of Fortune
Charles James Lever
As to the parsons, I must acquit them honestly of any portion of this charge.
Arthur O'Leary
Charles James Lever
"I 'll try and acquit myself with credit," said she, as she sat down to the writing-desk.
Barrington
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for acquit

acquit

verb -quits, -quitting or -quitted (tr)

(foll by of)

to free or release (from a charge of crime)
to pronounce not guilty

(foll by of) to free or relieve (from an obligation, duty, responsibility, etc)

to repay or settle (something, such as a debt or obligation)

to perform (one's part); conduct (oneself)

Derived Formsacquitter, noun

Word Origin for acquit

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for acquit

early 13c., "to satisfy a debt" (either for oneself or on behalf of another), from Old French aquiter "pay, pay up, settle a claim" (12c.), from à "to" (see ad-) + quite "free, clear" (see quit (adj.)). Meanings "set free from charges" and "to discharge one's duty" both recorded from late 14c. Related: Acquitted; acquitting.