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 defense has maintained Walshe did not kill his wife, but Carney also said aside from an acquittal, a second-degree murder conviction for Walshe would be a notable success.
—
Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
The Black Lives Matter movement first emerged in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida.
—Sean Murphy, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
His acquittal, after fatally shooting two men and wounding a third during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, led to strong reactions across the political spectrum.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ordered the reinstatement of the convictions of Lopez and Full Play after Chen granted a motion for acquittal in 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
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Lauren Del Valle, CNN Money, 13 Dec. 2025
The Black Lives Matter movement first emerged in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who killed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Florida.
—Sean Murphy, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2025
His acquittal, after fatally shooting two men and wounding a third during protests in Kenosha, Wisconsin, led to strong reactions across the political spectrum.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, a federal appeals court ordered the reinstatement of the convictions of Lopez and Full Play after Chen granted a motion for acquittal in 2024.
—Jacob Rosen, CBS News, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 18 Dec. 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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