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
In the 15 months between O.J.’s arraignment and his acquittal, Robert and his ex-wife, Kris, staked out opposing positions on the trial.
—
Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Two years after his acquittal, Simpson was found liable of the murders in a wrongful death trial and ordered to pay $33.5 million to Brown and Goldman's survivors.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
That acquittal led to six days of riots throughout Los Angeles.
—NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Despite his acquittal in the criminal trial, many still believed Simpson was guilty, a belief bolstered by a jury ordering him to pay $33 million to Goldman's family in the civil case — damages that were never paid in full.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
After the acquittals, prosecutors later dropped charges against seven other officers yet to go to trial.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Separate prosecutions of Woodward in 1995 and 1996 resulted in hung juries favoring acquittal by margins of 8-4 and 7-5, respectively.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
The Senate’s acquittal of Trump at an impeachment trial charging him with inciting the insurrection at the Capitol prevented him from being tried again for the same events, Sauer argued.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
The acquittal comes as a big relief to Lee, who has been embroiled in legal problems for years.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024
Christie D’zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2024
Two years after his acquittal, Simpson was found liable of the murders in a wrongful death trial and ordered to pay $33.5 million to Brown and Goldman's survivors.
—Jessica Wang, EW.com, 12 Apr. 2024
That acquittal led to six days of riots throughout Los Angeles.
—NPR, 11 Apr. 2024
Despite his acquittal in the criminal trial, many still believed Simpson was guilty, a belief bolstered by a jury ordering him to pay $33 million to Goldman's family in the civil case — damages that were never paid in full.
—Doha Madani, NBC News, 11 Apr. 2024
After the acquittals, prosecutors later dropped charges against seven other officers yet to go to trial.
—Andrea May Sahouri, Detroit Free Press, 16 Mar. 2024
Separate prosecutions of Woodward in 1995 and 1996 resulted in hung juries favoring acquittal by margins of 8-4 and 7-5, respectively.
—Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024
The Senate’s acquittal of Trump at an impeachment trial charging him with inciting the insurrection at the Capitol prevented him from being tried again for the same events, Sauer argued.
—Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 6 Feb. 2024
The acquittal comes as a big relief to Lee, who has been embroiled in legal problems for years.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'acquittal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
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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