NYT Dictionary

ACQUIT

/əˈkwɪt/
Verbac-QUITac-quit · 2 syllablesGrade 8

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2021, 2023, 2024, 2026

Meaning

To declare or find innocent or not guilty.

Etymology

Origin: Middle English

From Middle English aquī̆ten (“to give in return; to pay, repay; to redeem (a pledge, security), to make good (a promise); to make amends; to relieve of an obligation; to acquit, clear of a charge; to free; to deprive of; to do one's part, acquit oneself; to act, behave (in a certain way)”), from Old French aquiter (“to act, do”) and Medieval Latin acquitāre (“to settle a debt”), from ad- (“to”) + quitare (“to free”), equivalent to a- + quit. Doublet of acquiet; also related to quit, quiet and acquiesce.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

absolveclearexculpateexonerateacquittanceassoilassoilzieacquitdisculpdisculpate

Antonyms

condemnconvictadjudgedamndeemdoomjudgesentenceaccuseblame

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 3 recorded puzzles:

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