acquittal

noun ac·quit·tal \ ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Examples: acquittal in a Sentence

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 hung jury that voted 10-2 for acquittal on the key charges and then the Justice Department’s decision not to retry cleared Menendez criminally — but not morally.

— will bunch, Philly.com, "Voters wanted a revolution. How'd they get stuck with corrupt Bob Menendez? | Will Bunch," 7 June 2018
Clinton also noted that there had been negative consequences for him related to the episode, which led to his impeachment by the House but acquittal by the Senate.

— washington post, latimes.com, "Bill Clinton says he wouldn't handle Lewinsky scandal any differently today," 4 June 2018
So the woman appeals Mumphrey's acquittal and Michigan State reopens the case.

— Fox News, "Larry Kudlow on trade with China, North Korea talks," 31 May 2018
Of Jones-Wright’s 28 cases, one ended with an acquittal, two resulted in lesser misdemeanor convictions, charges were dismissed in two others and the balance ended in guilty verdicts.

— greg moran, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Experience a key issue in district attorney race," 29 May 2018
Edwards' trial ended in an acquittal on one count with the jury unable to reach a verdict on five others.

— Anchorage Daily News, "Giuliani may have exposed Trump to new legal threats," 4 May 2018
There was enough doubt for an acquittal, and the Hanes men planned to try the case without any political or racial overtones.

— ivana hrynkiw, AL.com, "Former James Earl Ray attorney: "Dr. King just wasn't on his radar screen"," 4 Apr. 2018
An appeals court Thursday overturned Exposto's acquittal and found her guilty of drug trafficking, according to Exposto's lawyer, Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, AFP reported.

— marwa eltagouri, Washington Post, "A trip to meet her online boyfriend in Shanghai ended in drug charges. And now a death sentence.," 24 May 2018
Hearst said she had been abused, threatened and brainwashed, but at the time there was no legal precedent for acquittal due to such manipulation.

— PEOPLE.com, "PEOPLE Explains: Infamous Kidnappings Throughout History," 23 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of acquittal

Middle English acquitaille, acquytall "release, discharge, conduct," borrowed from Anglo-French acquitel, acquitaill, from aquiter "to acquit" + -el, -aill ²-al

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined above

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acquittal Synonyms

Other Legal Terms

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

ACQUITTAL Defined for English Language Learners

acquittal

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

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

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