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
Oscar-winner Spacey has been in a small number of projects since his acquittal.
—
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 May 2025
Despite the acquittals in the state trial, all three officers still face prison time at the federal level, where parole is not an option.
—Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
It was last invoked in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush sent Army and Marine troops to Los Angeles to help quell the violence following the acquittal of the police officers who beat Rodney King.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 May 2025
In 1992, Bush again invoked the law during the Los Angeles riots that followed the acquittal of officers in the Rodney King beating case, deploying federal forces and National Guard units to support overwhelmed local law enforcement and restore order.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Max Goldbart, Deadline, 12 May 2025
Despite the acquittals in the state trial, all three officers still face prison time at the federal level, where parole is not an option.
—Sacbee.com, 7 May 2025
It was last invoked in 1992, when President George H.W. Bush sent Army and Marine troops to Los Angeles to help quell the violence following the acquittal of the police officers who beat Rodney King.
—Juliana Kim, NPR, 6 May 2025
In 1992, Bush again invoked the law during the Los Angeles riots that followed the acquittal of officers in the Rodney King beating case, deploying federal forces and National Guard units to support overwhelmed local law enforcement and restore order.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 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 22 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share