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
His 1995 murder trial, which ended in an acquittal, brought national attention to the issue of domestic violence, long kept under wraps.
—
Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Before the defense began presenting witnesses, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez denied Pino’s motion for judgment of acquittal, which allows a judge to find a defendant not guilty without sending the case to a jury.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
According to Ghaemi, the IRGC’s intelligence agency has consolidated control over interrogations, detention centers, judges, and prosecutors, and the proof is in the lack of acquittals.
—Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Jurors leaned towards acquittal on the manslaughter and attempted manslaughter counts.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
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Liz McNeil, PEOPLE, 17 June 2026
Before the defense began presenting witnesses, Miami-Dade Circuit Court Judge Marisa Tinkler Mendez denied Pino’s motion for judgment of acquittal, which allows a judge to find a defendant not guilty without sending the case to a jury.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
According to Ghaemi, the IRGC’s intelligence agency has consolidated control over interrogations, detention centers, judges, and prosecutors, and the proof is in the lack of acquittals.
—Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Jurors leaned towards acquittal on the manslaughter and attempted manslaughter counts.
—Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 20 Jun. 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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