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
For those infidels keeping score at home, exactly one year ago today, Carrnac gazed into his crystal ball and presciently predicted both the acquittal of Karen Read and the conviction of Tania Fernandes Anderson.
—
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Despite her acquittal, Read still faces a wrongful death lawsuit brought by O’Keefe’s family, which is expected to play out well into 2026.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Legal experts said doing so could have been a path to full acquittal – or to guilty verdicts on both counts.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025
In addition to New Jersey's recent ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Andrew Roark's conviction in 2024 ruling that the current scientific testimony would likely end in an acquittal for him.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
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Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Despite her acquittal, Read still faces a wrongful death lawsuit brought by O’Keefe’s family, which is expected to play out well into 2026.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 31 Dec. 2025
Legal experts said doing so could have been a path to full acquittal – or to guilty verdicts on both counts.
—John Diedrich, jsonline.com, 29 Dec. 2025
In addition to New Jersey's recent ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Andrew Roark's conviction in 2024 ruling that the current scientific testimony would likely end in an acquittal for him.
—Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 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 7 Jan. 2026.
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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