acquittal
noun
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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
Recent Examples on the Web
Gamble argues that the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy is deeply rooted in English common law, which allowed individuals acquitted by foreign courts to raise their acquittals as a defense in British courts. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "A Supreme Court Gamble," 5 Dec. 2018 To T&C, Grant described the difficulty of playing a character whose guilt or innocence wasn't clear—despite his acquittal. — Elizabeth Angell, Town & Country, "A Very English Scandal," 29 June 2018 But Lugo’s mental health problems factored into his eventual acquittal. — Travis Andersen, BostonGlobe.com, "Man acquitted of killing mom now charged with attacking girlfriend," 24 May 2018 He had been acquitted of this charge in normal criminal court, but a special committee of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals concluded that Hastings had committed perjury and tampered with evidence in the case to secure his acquittal. — Dylan Matthews, Vox, "It works just like impeaching a president.," 27 Sep. 2018 According to The Seattle Times, the artwork is a nod to Trayvon Martin, the Florida teen whose death and the subsequent acquittal of the neighborhood watchman who shot him in 2012 gave rise to the Black Lives Matter movement. — Jewel Wicker, Teen Vogue, "An Art Project Called Black Teen Wearing Hoodie Has Been Repeatedly Destroyed in Seattle," 28 Aug. 2018 To some who believe in the importance of the SEC’s mission against insider trading, Mr. Cuban’s acquittal was an example of jury nullification—jurors simply refusing to enforce the law against a celebrity defendant. — Holman W. Jenkins, WSJ, "What Elon Can Learn from Mark Cuban About Fighting the SEC," 24 Aug. 2018 But Ellis would have to tread somewhat more carefully: While acquittals are generally final regardless of prejudicial mistakes by a judge during trial, defense attorneys often cite alleged judicial bias in requesting appeals. — Gregg Re, Fox News, "Judge Ellis calls on Mueller team to 'really sharply focus' inquiries, as prosecutors ask witness about emoji," 9 Aug. 2018 Cosby lawyer Tom Mesereau, who won an acquittal in Michael Jackson’s 2005 child molestation case, said the jury will learn ‘‘just how greedy’’ Constand was. — Michael R. Sisak, BostonGlobe.com, "Protester charges, gets within feet of Bill Cosby, as retrial begins," 9 Apr. 2018These 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
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Kids Definition of acquittal
: the act of declaring someone innocent of a crime or wrongdoing
acquittal
noun
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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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