acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl 
: a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process
Synonyms
- clearing
- exculpation
- exoneration
- vindication
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Jurors in that trial would say after that her refusal to testify was a major factor in Kelly’s acquittal. 
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 This in-depth documentary, filmed nearly a decade after everything happened, follows her trial, conviction, and eventual acquittal. Janaya Wecker, Town & Country, 29 Aug. 2022 Federal prosecutors handed down their indictment only a few weeks after the acquittal in November 2017. Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 The usual suspects are taking the acquittal of Democratic lawyer Michael Sussmann as proof that Special Counsel John Durham never had a real case to investigate. The Editors, National Review, 1 June 2022 In memory of Marisela Escobedo, a Mexican activist who was assassinated in 2010 while protesting the acquittal of Sergio Rafael Barraza Bocanegra, who had confessed to murdering Escobedo’s teenage daughter. Ilana Luna, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 The acquittal of the Baobab Experience president and volunteers comes at a moment that has revealed contradictory ideas of who deserves refuge in Europe. Eleanor Paynter, The Conversation, 13 May 2022 Black Lives Matter began with the social media hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and was officially founded in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting case of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Fox News, 12 May 2022 Then, Los Angeles was a byword for racial unrest, still reeling from the uprising over the acquittal of four officers for beating Mr. King. New York Times, 13 Feb. 2022 See More
Althea Legaspi, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2022 This in-depth documentary, filmed nearly a decade after everything happened, follows her trial, conviction, and eventual acquittal. Janaya Wecker, Town & Country, 29 Aug. 2022 Federal prosecutors handed down their indictment only a few weeks after the acquittal in November 2017. Los Angeles Times, 7 June 2022 The usual suspects are taking the acquittal of Democratic lawyer Michael Sussmann as proof that Special Counsel John Durham never had a real case to investigate. The Editors, National Review, 1 June 2022 In memory of Marisela Escobedo, a Mexican activist who was assassinated in 2010 while protesting the acquittal of Sergio Rafael Barraza Bocanegra, who had confessed to murdering Escobedo’s teenage daughter. Ilana Luna, Harper’s Magazine , 25 May 2022 The acquittal of the Baobab Experience president and volunteers comes at a moment that has revealed contradictory ideas of who deserves refuge in Europe. Eleanor Paynter, The Conversation, 13 May 2022 Black Lives Matter began with the social media hashtag #BlackLivesMatter and was officially founded in 2013 after the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting case of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Fox News, 12 May 2022 Then, Los Angeles was a byword for racial unrest, still reeling from the uprising over the acquittal of four officers for beating Mr. King. New York Times, 13 Feb. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English acquitaille, acquytall "release, discharge, conduct," borrowed from Anglo-French acquitel, acquitaill, from aquiter "to acquit" + -el, -aill -al entry 2
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
acquittal
noun
ac·quit·tal ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl
: the act of declaring someone innocent of a crime or wrongdoing
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
acquittals
noun
as in pardons
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing confidently predicted that his client's trial would result in a full acquittal Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pardons
- exonerations
- vindications
- clearings
- exculpations
- remissions
- absolutions
- atonements
- expiations
- condonations
- compurgations
- whitewashes
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- convictions
- indictments
- prosecutions
- accusations
- impeachments
- condemnations
- denunciations
- arraignments
- incriminations
- censures
- castigations