as in pardons
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
confidently predicted that his client's trial would result in a full acquittal
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Recent Examples of acquittals
Essayli’s prosecutors have seen four additional cases involving allegations of assault on a federal officer end in acquittals, a nearly unheard of losing streak.
—
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The acquittals also offer insights into the upcoming trial of former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo on charges of child abandonment.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
This was one of only two cases that resulted in acquittals in the numerous prosecutions arising out of the collapse of Enron.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Eighteen of those cases were dismissed and two ended in acquittals.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025
Though Combs’ defense argued that his acquittals on the most serious charges precluded the court from considering the women’s claims of coercion, Judge Arun Subramanian said the women’s claims of violence and exploitation were major factors in the prison sentence of four years and two months.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Two of the cases that went to trial resulted in acquittals, including one that took place in the Eastern District of Virginia.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
But Cuba’s Supreme Court annulled the acquittals in May and ordered new trials after the government prosecutor in the case complained about the decision, according to the documents.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 31 Jan. 2026
The acquittals also offer insights into the upcoming trial of former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo on charges of child abandonment.
—Elise Hammond, CNN Money, 24 Jan. 2026
This was one of only two cases that resulted in acquittals in the numerous prosecutions arising out of the collapse of Enron.
—Graham Kates, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Eighteen of those cases were dismissed and two ended in acquittals.
—Alicia Victoria Lozano, NBC news, 8 Nov. 2025
Though Combs’ defense argued that his acquittals on the most serious charges precluded the court from considering the women’s claims of coercion, Judge Arun Subramanian said the women’s claims of violence and exploitation were major factors in the prison sentence of four years and two months.
—Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 20 Oct. 2025
Two of the cases that went to trial resulted in acquittals, including one that took place in the Eastern District of Virginia.
—Katherine Faulders, ABC News, 6 Oct. 2025
But Cuba’s Supreme Court annulled the acquittals in May and ordered new trials after the government prosecutor in the case complained about the decision, according to the documents.
—Nora Gamez Torres, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquittals
Noun
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Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Even for felons, who’ve received a huge number of pardons over the past year.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Between February 2025 and last week, San Jose conducted more than 2,000 encampment clearings citywide, according to Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services spokesperson Amanda Rodriguez.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Data is also collected from the El Cajon Homeless Task Force, as well as from park staff as clearings are completed.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In Indiana, eyewitness misidentification was a factor in 22 out of 57 exonerations.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
26 Jan. 2026
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For the better part of a decade, Illinois led the nation in annual exonerations until it was surpassed by Texas in 2024, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.—
Olivia Olander,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Acquittals.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquittals. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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