Acquit: meaning, definitions and examples
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acquit
[ əˈkwɪt ]
in a legal context
To free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty. To conduct oneself or perform in a specified way, especially well or in a particular way.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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acquit |
Used in a legal setting, when a person is declared not guilty of a crime. Often seen in court judgments.
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absolve |
Used in both legal and moral contexts. It means to free someone from blame or guilt.
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clear |
Used generally to indicate freedom from blame or suspicion. Can apply to personal, professional, or general situations.
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exonerate |
Used in both legal and formal contexts. It means freeing someone from blame, often related to official or formal accusations.
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Examples of usage
- He was acquitted of all the charges.
- She acquitted herself admirably in the crisis.
- The team acquitted themselves well in the tournament.
in a non-legal context
To behave or perform in a specified way.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
---|---|
acquit |
This term is commonly used in legal settings. It means to declare someone not guilty of criminal charges. It is often used in courtrooms and discussions about legal decisions.
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conduct |
This word is frequently used in formal situations to describe the action of managing or directing a particular activity. It can also mean to behave in a certain manner, especially in a regulated setting.
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perform |
This term is widely used in various contexts to mean carrying out an action or task. It is often associated with displaying one's skills, either in entertainment, work, or academic settings.
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Examples of usage
- He acquitted himself well in the interview.
- She acquitted herself with grace under pressure.
Translations
Translations of the word "acquit" in other languages:
🇵🇹 absolver
🇮🇳 बरी करना
🇩🇪 freisprechen
🇮🇩 membebaskan
🇺🇦 виправдати
🇵🇱 uniewinnić
🇯🇵 無罪にする
🇫🇷 acquitter
🇪🇸 absolver
🇹🇷 beraat ettirmek
🇰🇷 무죄로 하다
🇸🇦 تبرئة
🇨🇿 zprostit viny
🇸🇰 oslobodiť
🇨🇳 无罪释放
🇸🇮 oprostiti
🇮🇸 sýkna
🇰🇿 ақтау
🇬🇪 გათავისუფლება
🇦🇿 azad etmək
🇲🇽 absolver
Etymology
The word 'acquit' originated from the Old French word 'acquiter', meaning 'to pay, answer for', which in turn came from the Latin word 'adquītāre', meaning 'to release'. The legal sense of 'acquit' in English emerged in the 16th century, referring to the release or discharge of a person from an obligation or accusation.
See also: acquittal.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #18,732, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.
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