acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
| \ ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl
\
\
Definition of acquittal
: a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process
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Synonyms & Antonyms for acquittal
Synonyms
clearing, exculpation, exoneration, vindication
Antonyms
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Examples of acquittal in a Sentence
The case resulted in acquittal of the defendant.
Several jurors voted for acquittal.
The case resulted in an acquittal of the defendant.
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Recent Examples on the Web
The two deputies, who returned to work after their acquittals, allege false arrest and intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of their due process rights and negligence against the doctor who testified. — oregonlive.com, "Two Jefferson County jail deputies acquitted in inmate’s death file suit, alleging malicious prosecution," 26 July 2019 But after stating his case to his superiors, Stachler was encouraged to continue and eventually won an acquittal for Pinson. — Sharon Coolidge, Cincinnati.com, "Longtime lawyer Robert Stachler, who defended Pete Rose and worked with Bengals, dies," 12 July 2019 The jury reached a unanimous verdict of not guilty in the first-degree murder charge against David Martinez, but deadlocked 3 to 9, with the majority in favor of acquittal, on the charge of second-degree murder. — Jeanette Marantos, latimes.com, "Judge orders mistrial after jury deadlocks on whether Mongols member killed Pomona SWAT officer in 2014," 29 June 2019 The jury deadlocked 11 to one in favor of acquittal, and Jennings was released. — Sidney Fussell, The Atlantic, "How Stonewall Reversed a Long History of Justifying Police Surveillance," 29 June 2019 At the same time, her course of action was read by many as a radical act of defiance in the face of some recent and very public outrages against women: The Anita Hill testimony; the William Kennedy Smith rape acquittal; the Tailhook assaults. — John Anderson, WSJ, "‘Lorena’ Review: Cutting to the Heart of the Matter," 14 Feb. 2019 Of reported election-fraud allegations in the database whose resolution could be determined, 46 percent resulted in acquittals, dropped charges or decisions not to bring charges. — German Lopez, Vox, "The Florida voter fraud allegations, explained," 12 Nov. 2018 Despite that acquittal, five of the seven bishops were effectively excommunicated from the Church of England — not for their disloyalty to James, but their loyalty to him. — Declan Leary, National Review, "Conservatives Should Not Celebrate Religious Tyranny and Coercion," 19 July 2019 The death of Jackson was a massive cultural phenomenon, bringing an outpouring of public affection and revival of his songs and largely erasing the taint that remained after his criminal trial, despite his acquittal. — cleveland.com, "Tributes to Michael Jackson flow on 10th death anniversary," 25 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acquittal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for acquittal
acquittal
noun
English Language Learners Definition of acquittal
: the act of deciding that a person is not guilty of a crime : the act of acquitting someone
See the full definition for acquittal in the English Language Learners Dictionary
acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
| \ ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl
\
\
Kids Definition of acquittal
: the act of declaring someone innocent of a crime or wrongdoing
acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
| \ ə-ˈkwit-ᵊl
\
\
Legal Definition of acquittal
1
: release or discharge from debt or other liability
2
: a setting free or deliverance from the charge of an offense by verdict of a jury, judgment of a court, or other legal process — see also implied acquittal, judgment of acquittal at judgment sense 1a — compare conviction
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