acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl 
: a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Politics Trump signs orders to crack down on immigration, send troops to the border
Jan. 20, 2025
The last time the act was invoked was in 1992 during rioting in Los Angeles in protest of the acquittal of four police officers charged with beating Rodney King.
—
Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Or the way Black Twitter compared the acquittal of Casey Anthony with the conviction of Shanesha Taylor, a young mother put in jail for leaving her kids in the car during a job interview.
—J Wortham, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Years after her case and eventual acquittal rocked Italy — and became huge headlines even here in the U.S. — Knox continues to be a familiar figure in popular culture.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Fraternal Order of Police president Rick Snyder had harsh words to share about the county's prosecutor Friday following the acquittal of Indianapolis police officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad, who were indicted on charges over their role in the death of Herman Whitfield III.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
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Lolita C. Baldor and Tara Copp, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2025
Or the way Black Twitter compared the acquittal of Casey Anthony with the conviction of Shanesha Taylor, a young mother put in jail for leaving her kids in the car during a job interview.
—J Wortham, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
Years after her case and eventual acquittal rocked Italy — and became huge headlines even here in the U.S. — Knox continues to be a familiar figure in popular culture.
—Matt Minton, Variety, 19 Dec. 2024
Fraternal Order of Police president Rick Snyder had harsh words to share about the county's prosecutor Friday following the acquittal of Indianapolis police officers Steven Sanchez and Adam Ahmad, who were indicted on charges over their role in the death of Herman Whitfield III.
—Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
ə-ˈkwit-ᵊl
: the freeing (as by verdict) of a person from the charge of a crime
Legal Definition
acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal
ə-ˈkwit-ᵊl
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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