Accomplice Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/əkˈɒmplɪs/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

A person who assists or helps another in a crime or wrongdoing, or someone who is involved with or supports another person’s illegal activities.

Examples

• The police arrested the accomplice who had helped the suspect evade capture.
• The company’s CEO was accused of being an accomplice in the financial scandal.
• The teen was charged as an accomplice to the robbery.
• The criminal was sentenced to life imprisonment, along with his accomplices.
• The CEO was accused of being an accomplice in the fraud, along with several other high-ranking officials.
• The suspect claimed he was merely an accomplice and didn’t know the full extent of the plan.

Synonyms

• Abettor
• Accessory

Antonyms

• Innocent party
• Victim

Etymology

The word “accomplice” comes from the Latin “accomplere,” meaning “to complete,” and is derived from “cum,” meaning “with,” and “plere,” meaning “to fill” or “to complete.”

Usage Notes

Accomplice is often used to describe someone who is directly involved in a crime or wrongdoing, but does not necessarily commit the act themselves. However, it can also be used more broadly to describe anyone who supports or assists in the commission of a crime.

Cultural References

Accomplice has been used in various forms of media, such as films, TV shows, and literature. For example, in the TV show “Law & Order,” a detective was accused of being an accomplice to the murder of his partner.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

“Hanging together” – being an accomplice to a crime in a way that benefits both parties

Related Words or Phrases

• Mitigating circumstances
• Accusatory evidence

Frequency of Use

Accomplice is a relatively common term in legal and criminal contexts, but its usage is not as widespread in everyday conversation.

Common Misspellings

Accomplise, Acquaintance, Assister