acquit

[uh-kwit]

verb (used with object)

acquitted, acquitting 

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)

Other Word Forms

• acquitter noun
• preacquit verb (used with object)

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

Despite later boasting about killing her he appeared to have got away with murder, protected by the double jeopardy law which prevented someone being re-prosecuted for a crime they had been acquitted of.

From BBC

A Bangkok court has acquitted controversial billionaire and former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was accused of insulting the monarchy.

From BBC

But he was acquitted on Wednesday when the Crown dropped the case.

From BBC

During “Southern Man,” Micah Nelson walked over to an old, battered upright piano and admirably acquitted himself in the shading and spirit of Nils Lofgren’s work on the original.

From Salon

According to The Sun, Jackson spent time at Grouse Lodge Studios, County Westmeath, in 2006 after being acquitted of child abuse allegations.

From BBC

Related Words

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