acquit

[ uh-kwit ]

See 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

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English aquiten, from Anglo-French, Old French (ac)quiter, derivative, with a(c)- “toward” (see ac-), from quite “free of obligations,” from Medieval Latin quit(t)us, Latin quiētus (see quiet); cf. quit¹

synonym study For acquit

1. See absolve.

Other words for acquit

1	exculpate, exonerate, vindicate
2	free

See synonyms for acquit on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for acquit

convict

See antonyms for acquit on Thesaurus.com

Other words from acquit

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

Words that may be confused with acquit

acquitted , innocent, nolo contendere

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use acquit in a sentence

Berry has never deployed her talents consistently during her career, but acquits herself quite admirably here.
Surprise! Halle Berry’s Career Is ‘Extant’ | Jason Lynch | July 9, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
To be sure, he acquits himself as well as anyone in the field.
‘From the Ruins of Empire’ by Pankaj Mishra: Review | Jacob Silverman | September 12, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
In both cases the critic acquits them of malice, but only to convict them of culpable ignorance.
Ancient Faiths And Modern | Thomas Inman
In figured dances she acquits herself extremely well, and in a minuet, with inimitable ease and gracefulness.
The Book of Curiosities | I. Platts
Absolv′er, one who gives absolution or acquits; Absolv′itor, a decision favourable to a defender.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 1 of 4: A-D) | Various

Even when the slaveholder honestly acquits himself of cruelty, he may be criminal.
Slavery | William E. Channing
The editor of The Times generously acquits us of all joint snapping, and I think we can very easily dispose of his explanation.
The Missing Link in Modern Spiritualism | A. Leah Underhill

British Dictionary definitions for acquit

acquit

/ (əˈkwɪt) /

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)

Origin of acquit

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

Derived forms of acquit

acquitter, noun

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

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