accomplice
An accomplice is a person who helps someone else commit a crime or a dishonest act. This individual is legally or morally responsible for their involvement, even if they were not the primary person performing the act.
Examples
3 of 5He wasn't the one who broke into the house, but he was an accomplice because he held the ladder.
He wasn't the one who broke into the house, but he was an accomplice because he held the ladder.
The defendant was formally charged as an accomplice to the bank robbery after providing the getaway vehicle.
The defendant was formally charged as an accomplice to the bank robbery after providing the getaway vehicle.
Don't make me your accomplice in lying to your parents about where you were last night.
Don't make me your accomplice in lying to your parents about where you were last night.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase: 'Accomplice helps you Accomplish a crime, and then you both deal with the Police.'
Quick Quiz
The police are looking for a second man who is believed to have acted as an _______ during the robbery.
Correct!
The correct answer is: accomplice
Examples
He wasn't the one who broke into the house, but he was an accomplice because he held the ladder.
everydayHe wasn't the one who broke into the house, but he was an accomplice because he held the ladder.
The defendant was formally charged as an accomplice to the bank robbery after providing the getaway vehicle.
formalThe defendant was formally charged as an accomplice to the bank robbery after providing the getaway vehicle.
Don't make me your accomplice in lying to your parents about where you were last night.
informalDon't make me your accomplice in lying to your parents about where you were last night.
Sociological research indicates that an accomplice often feels less individual guilt due to the diffusion of responsibility.
academicSociological research indicates that an accomplice often feels less individual guilt due to the diffusion of responsibility.
The former manager was found to be an accomplice in the multi-million dollar corporate fraud case.
businessThe former manager was found to be an accomplice in the multi-million dollar corporate fraud case.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
partner in crime
a person who helps with a crime or a mischievous act
aiding and abetting
the legal term for helping someone commit a crime
guilty by association
being considered guilty because of the people you spend time with
Often Confused With
An accomplice is present or active during the crime; an accessory usually helps before or after the crime occurs.
Usage Notes
Accomplice is used almost exclusively in the context of illegal acts or moral wrongdoings. It should not be used as a synonym for 'partner' or 'teammate' in positive settings.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'accomplice' to describe a partner in a positive project. Use 'collaborator' or 'partner' for positive teamwork.
Memory Tip
Think of the phrase: 'Accomplice helps you Accomplish a crime, and then you both deal with the Police.'
Word Origin
Derived from the Old French 'acomplice', which comes from the Latin 'complex', meaning 'allied' or 'connected'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
The term is a staple of legal dramas and 'buddy-cop' movies, often used when detectives pressure a minor criminal to testify against a major boss.
Quick Quiz
The police are looking for a second man who is believed to have acted as an _______ during the robbery.
Correct!
The correct answer is: accomplice
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
principled
C2Acting in accordance with morality and high standards of behavior. It describes a person or an action guided by a strict set of values and integrity rather than by personal gain or convenience.
analytical
C1Relating to or using analysis or logical reasoning to understand something by breaking it down into its constituent parts. It describes a systematic approach to problem-solving and the ability to evaluate information critically.
approach
C1A systematic way of dealing with something or a specific perspective taken when addressing a problem or task. It can also refer to the physical act of moving nearer to someone or something in distance or time.
authorize
C1To grant official permission or legal power to someone to perform a specific action or to allow something to happen. It typically involves a formal process or a person in a position of authority validating a request or procedure.
beneficial
B2Beneficial describes something that has a good effect or promotes well-being. It is frequently used in formal or academic contexts to highlight the advantages or positive outcomes of a specific action, substance, or situation.
consistent
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constitutional
C2Relating to the fundamental principles or established laws that govern a state or organization. It can also refer to an individual's physical health or inherent temperament.
contextual
B2Relating to the circumstances or setting in which something exists or occurs. It describes information that helps explain the meaning of an event, statement, or idea by looking at its surroundings.
contract
C1A formal and legally binding agreement between two or more parties that establishes mutual obligations. In academic and legal contexts, it refers to the specific terms, conditions, and enforcement mechanisms that govern a transaction or relationship.
contractor
C1A person or company that performs work or provides goods and services under a specific legal agreement. Unlike a regular employee, a contractor is usually hired for a specific project or a fixed period of time as an independent entity.
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