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
The case went to trial in 2005, lasted three months, and eventually ended with Jackson’s acquittal on all charges. —
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026 Read’s acquittal, however, was not the end of the story. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Prior to closing arguments, Hunter’s other lawyer, Eben Self, motioned for an acquittal by arguing there was no evidence Green was even killed in Orange County, which Chief Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon quickly denied. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 In this case, it is alleged that these defendants thought the road to acquittal was the elimination of a witness. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 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.
Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 23 Apr. 2026 Read’s acquittal, however, was not the end of the story. —Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Prior to closing arguments, Hunter’s other lawyer, Eben Self, motioned for an acquittal by arguing there was no evidence Green was even killed in Orange County, which Chief Circuit Judge Lisa Munyon quickly denied. —Cristóbal Reyes, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026 In this case, it is alleged that these defendants thought the road to acquittal was the elimination of a witness. —Joseph Buczek, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Cite this Entry
“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/acquittal. Accessed 25 Apr. 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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