For lack of evidence proving him guilty, the jury had no choice but to acquit Tom.
Source: tatoeba (5267360)
Acquit
/əˈkwɪt/
Synonyms for "acquit" (86 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: clear, exonerate, absolve, act, assoil.
- Sentence evidence is available for acquit, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wiktionary, wordnet, opengloss, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "acquit".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "acquit"
Keep "acquit" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "acquit" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "acquit", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "acquit" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
8 entriesMore specific
5 entriesacquit with prejudiceacquit without prejudicecalm demeanorpolite conductproper behavior
Collocations
5 entriesacquit a suspectacquit in courtacquit of chargesacquit someoneacquit without prejudice
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
1 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
5 entriesSample sentences
24 total sentences available.
After the prosecutor permitted the defendant to handle the murder evidence, his attorney declared: "If the gloves don't fit, you must acquit."
Source: tatoeba (5267407)
[W]hen God ſaith of himſelfe, that he is one who acquiting will not acquite the wicked, his meaning is, that whatſoeuer may be ſuppoſed becauſe of his patience, yet he will not fully and finally diſcharge thoſe who goe on ſtill in their vngodly courſes, and preſume vpon his Mercy, without repentance.
Source: wiktionary
But gently could his passion entertaine, / Though she Love's princesse, he a lowly swaine. / First of his bold intrusion she acquites him, / Then to her service (happy Boy!) admits him, / And, like another Love, with bow and quiver fits him.
Source: wiktionary
Showing 4 of 24 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "acquit"?
Closest matches include clear, exonerate, absolve, act, assoil.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "acquit"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.