A person who helps someone else commit a crime or do something wrong.
Probably from Old French *complice* “associate,” based on Latin *complex* “closely connected,” with the *a-* added later by influence of words like *accompany*. It emphasizes partnership in wrongdoing.
An accomplice isn’t just nearby; they’re actively involved in the plan. The word captures how wrongdoing is often social—people rarely make big bad choices completely alone.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.