English vocabulary · C1
Acquit
/əˈkwɪt/ · v.
Acquit means for a court to say that a person did not commit a crime. That person can then leave without punishment.
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Example sentences
- The jury acquitted the young man.
- The court acquitted her of theft.
Word origin and roots
from Anglo-French
- ac — to (from Anglo-French)
- quit — free (from Anglo-French)
Synonyms and nuances
- CLEAR — show that someone did no wrong (Remove Blame)
- EXONERATE — officially remove blame (Prove No Fault)
- ABSOLVE — say someone is not responsible (Set Free From Blame)
Words with the same root
quit — free
- quit — stop or leave
- quiet — making little sound
- quite — fully or rather
Lesson notes
Acquit means for a court to say that a person did not commit a crime. That person can then leave without punishment.
Related: clear, exonerate, absolve. Use acquit when a court decides that a person is not guilty.
The jury acquitted the young man. The court acquitted her of theft.
From Anglo-French. Ac- means to. Quit means free. Together, acquit means to set someone free from a charge.