acquittal

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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

See acquittal defined for English-language learners

See acquittal defined for kids

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 of acquittal from the Web

The younger Gotti walked free after an acquittal on a securities fraud count and a mistrial on more serious racketeering counts.

— Washington Post, "Questions about lawyers’ fees put El Chapo defense in limbo," 14 Aug. 2017
The younger Gotti walked free after an acquittal on a securities fraud count and a mistrial on more serious racketeering counts.

— kansascity, "Questions about lawyers’ fees put El Chapo defense in limbo," 14 Aug. 2017
Stew Mathews, Tensing's attorney, argued for an acquittal.

— mark curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "Ghiz dismisses Tensing charges, unseals jury questions," 24 July 2017
Simpson’s 1995 acquittal in the deaths of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend Ronald Goldman bitterly polarized Americans around race.

— errin haines whack, The Seattle Times, "‘Let 1994 go’: Simpson case’s racial symbolism now a relic," 22 July 2017
At the end of the robbery trial, some people cheered as loudly at the conviction as others had cheered at his earlier acquittal.

— dahleen glanton, chicagotribune.com, "When he gets out, O.J. Simpson will just be that old guy who used to be somebody," 21 July 2017
His 2008 conviction came 13 years after his acquittal on murder charges in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.

— paul vercammen, CNN, "What O.J. Simpson's life has been like in prison," 18 July 2017
A fifth episode, about the 2005 acquittal of actor Robert Blake in his wife’s murder, will be available On Demand.

— ellen gray, Philly.com, "Nancy Glass revisits O.J. case as a producer in 'The Jury Speaks'," 18 July 2017
Dershowitz believes that Bailey is being made to suffer for Simpson’s acquittal.

— andrew goldman, Town & Country, "The Rise and Fall of F. Lee Bailey, the Lawyer Who Set O.J. Simpson Free," 17 July 2017

These 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.

First Known Use of acquittal

15th century

acquittal Synonyms

Synonyms

clearing, exculpation, exoneration, vindication

Antonyms

conviction

Related Words

absolution, condonation, forgiveness, pardon, remission; atonement, expiation; compurgation; whitewash

Near Antonyms

accusation, arraignment, impeachment, incrimination, indictment; prosecution; castigation, censure, condemnation, denunciation

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

ACQUITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

acquittal

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noun

Definition of acquittal for English Language Learners

: the act of deciding that a person is not guilty of a crime : the act of acquitting someone

ACQUITTAL Defined for Kids

acquittal

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noun ac·quit·tal \ ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl \

Definition of acquittal for Students

:the act of declaring someone innocent of a crime or wrongdoing

Law Dictionary

acquittal

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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 1a — compare conviction