mistrial

noun

mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that has no legal effect with regard to one or more of the charges brought against the defendant because of some serious error or prejudicial misconduct in the proceedings or a hung jury

Examples of mistrial in a Sentence

The judge declared a mistrial.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Earlier this fall, a deadlocked jury in the Lindsay Clancy murder case forced the judge to declare a mistrial. — Anja Aronowsky Cronberg, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2026 Jurors deadlocked 10 to 2 in favor of acquittal in June, resulting in a stunning mistrial. — Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 22 Oct. 2026 The case ended in a mistrial last month after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. — Abc News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026 Following a mistrial in September 2025, per Court TV, Jeffrey was convicted of first-degree murder in March 2026 and sentenced to life in prison, according to the Courier Express. — Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 17 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mistrial

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mistrial was in 1628

Rhymes for mistrial

See All Rhymes for mistrial

Browse Nearby Words

mistress-ship
mistrial
mistrust
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mistrial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mistrial. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī(-ə)l How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that is cancelled because of an error in the proceedings

Legal Definition

mistrial

noun
mis·​tri·​al ˈmis-ˌtrī-əl How to pronounce mistrial (audio)
: a trial that terminates without a verdict because of error, necessity, prejudicial misconduct, or a hung jury see also manifest necessity compare dismissal sense 2, trial de novo

More from Merriam-Webster on mistrial

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mistrial

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