accomplice

noun

ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs How to pronounce accomplice (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
Synonyms of accomplicenext
: one associated with another especially in wrongdoing
was convicted as an accomplice to murder

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of accomplice in a Sentence

He was convicted as an accomplice to murder. the thief and his accomplices were eventually caught and brought to justice
Recent Examples on the Web Her accomplice reached a deal that will send him to prison for more than seven years. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2024 In 2005, three suicide bombers responsible for a set of coordinated attacks in London stopped off in Luton to collect a fourth accomplice before boarding a train to the capital. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024 Police have said the Hall’s Uber trip to pick up a package was ordered by the same person who made scam calls to Brock, or by an accomplice. —Mark Scolforo, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024 Alexander was convicted of murder, as an accomplice, and sentenced to 55 years. —Ken Armstrong, ProPublica, 12 Apr. 2024 After the shooting, one suspect drove off in Fleurs’ car followed by an accomplice. —Sammy Mncwabe, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024 His character often acted as Sabrina’s conscience as well as her accomplice, often keeping secrets for her, despite being worried her practices may put her at risk. —Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024 Simpson began questioning Beardsley about where the memorabilia came from, which resulted in Simpson's accomplice, Michael McClinton, brandishing a firearm, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. —Chris Barilla, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024 Police have identified two men who were found dead in northern Idaho earlier this week amid a 36-hour manhunt for an escaped inmate and his alleged accomplice. —Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC News, 23 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'accomplice.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Anglo-French acomplice, alteration of complice "associate" — more at complice

Note: The source of initial a(c)- is unclear. The earlier notion that a- represents fusion of the indefinite article cannot be maintained given the much earlier occurrences of the word in Anglo-French (in a 1384 petition of the Drapers guild, and in vol. 2 of the Rotuli Parliamentorum [1279-1377]). The suggestion that complice has been assimilated to accomplir, "to fulfill, etc.," (see accomplish) is not very compelling semantically.

First Known Use

1584, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of accomplice was in 1584

Dictionary Entries Near accomplice

accompanying

accomplice

accomplish

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Accomplice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplice. Accessed 1 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

accomplice

noun
ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs How to pronounce accomplice (audio) -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
: someone associated with another in wrongdoing

Legal Definition

accomplice

noun
ac·​com·​plice ə-ˈkäm-pləs, -ˈkəm- How to pronounce accomplice (audio)
: one who intentionally and voluntarily participates with another in a crime by encouraging or assisting in the commission of the crime or by failing to prevent it though under a duty to do so
the accomplice of the burglar
an accomplice in a robbery
Etymology

alteration (from incorrect division of a complice) of complice, from Middle French, associate, from Late Latin complic- complex partner, confederate

More from Merriam-Webster on accomplice

Nglish: Translation of accomplice for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of accomplice for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about accomplice

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