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
The criminal case against Shumate was dismissed after the acquittal.
—
Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Feb. 2026
Over 30 years ago, Los Angeles reached a boiling point following the acquittal of four police officers who brutally beat Rodney King.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026
The jury came back with an acquittal after deliberating for about an hour.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
As Landfair details in the book for the first time, the years between 2002 – when Kelly was arrested on a 21-count indictment pertaining to child pornography charges – and his 2008 acquittal were spent under a fog, with Kelly keeping Landfair under his thumb even more than before.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
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Patrick Danner, San Antonio Express-News, 3 Feb. 2026
Over 30 years ago, Los Angeles reached a boiling point following the acquittal of four police officers who brutally beat Rodney King.
—Okla Jones, Essence, 1 Feb. 2026
The jury came back with an acquittal after deliberating for about an hour.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
As Landfair details in the book for the first time, the years between 2002 – when Kelly was arrested on a 21-count indictment pertaining to child pornography charges – and his 2008 acquittal were spent under a fog, with Kelly keeping Landfair under his thumb even more than before.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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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