accomplice

noun

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

Synonyms of accomplice

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The surviving suspect from an abduction in Chino Hills last week that ended with deputies killing his accomplice, moments after the victim had been executed, is being charged with murder, San Bernardino County prosecutors announced Monday. — Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026 She was convicted the following year of being an accomplice to first-degree murder and has been serving life without parole ever since. — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2026 The consignor was later identified as an accomplice in a separate auction fraud case in Hebei province. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 July 2026 Investigators spent months tying Gavrilys to the crimes through cell phone location records, surveillance video, vehicle registrations and testimony from an alleged accomplice. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for accomplice

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

Browse Nearby Words

accompanying
accomplice
accomplish
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Accomplice.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/accomplice. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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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.com: Encyclopedia article about accomplice

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