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
Trump has abandoned the traditional role of consoler-in-chief to make things worse in L.A.
President George H.W. Bush’s actions following acquittals in the Rodney King case are instructive.
—
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The last time the National Guard put on the streets like this in LA was back in 1992 in the uprisings following the acquittal of four LAPD cops over their filmed beating of Rodney King.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2025
Relli’s lawyer, Melisa Mikhail, maintained that her client had no intention of dropping his lawsuit against Rocky and was determined to get this case to trial, regardless of the rapper’s recent acquittal.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 27 Feb. 2025
But Combs appears to be sparing no expense to give himself the best shot at an acquittal, according to Vulture.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
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.
Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2025
The last time the National Guard put on the streets like this in LA was back in 1992 in the uprisings following the acquittal of four LAPD cops over their filmed beating of Rodney King.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 8 June 2025
Relli’s lawyer, Melisa Mikhail, maintained that her client had no intention of dropping his lawsuit against Rocky and was determined to get this case to trial, regardless of the rapper’s recent acquittal.
—Marc Griffin, VIBE.com, 27 Feb. 2025
But Combs appears to be sparing no expense to give himself the best shot at an acquittal, according to Vulture.
—Martha Ross, Mercury News, 12 May 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 12 Jun. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share