accomplice Definition
a person who helps another commit a crime or do something wrong.
Using accomplice: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "accomplice" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The police believe he was an accomplice in the robbery.
Example
She was charged as an accomplice to the murder.
Example
He refused to name his accomplices.
accomplice Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for accomplice
- associate
- collaborator
- confederate
- partner in crime
Phrases with accomplice
a legal doctrine that holds a person responsible for a crime committed by another person if they aided, abetted, or encouraged the commission of the crime
Example
The court found him guilty of accomplice liability for his role in the robbery.
a witness who participated in the crime and testifies against their accomplices in exchange for a reduced sentence
Example
The prosecutor called an accomplice witness to testify against the defendant.
a person who did not participate in the crime but knew about it and did nothing to stop it
Example
He was charged as an accomplice to the fact for failing to report the crime.
Origins of accomplice
from Old French 'acompliss', meaning 'partner'
Summary: accomplice in Brief
An 'accomplice' [uh-kom-plis] is a person who helps another commit a crime or do something wrong. It is often used in legal contexts, such as 'accomplice liability,' which holds a person responsible for a crime committed by another person if they aided, abetted, or encouraged the commission of the crime. Other phrases include 'accomplice witness,' who testifies against their accomplices in exchange for a reduced sentence, and 'accomplice to the fact,' who knew about the crime but did nothing to stop it.