acquittal

noun

ə-ˈkwi-tᵊl How to pronounce acquittal (audio)
Definition of acquittalnext
as in pardon
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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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of acquittal Notably, the acquittal did not establish who owned the painting. — Mattia Ferraresi, Air Mail, 3 Oct. 2026 Both the prosecution and the defense appealed that verdict, with the prosecution requesting 14 years and the defense pushing for acquittal. — Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026 Despite the acquittal, Michael never returned to Neverland Ranch. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026 The last words of Lizzie Borden have never been reported; in fact, she was rarely seen or heard from in public in the years following her acquittal. — Lynsey Eidell, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for acquittal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for acquittal
  1. pardon
  2. forgiveness
  3. clearing
  4. exoneration
  5. vindication
Noun
  • Ford placed the inmate’s bid for clemency on the agenda of the state pardons board — an example, Lombardo claims, of the way Ford treats criminals.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Punian was granted a pardon in recognition of his rehabilitation and military service.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pardon
Noun
  • The play, written by Jessica Dickey, is a fictional exploration of a schoolhouse shooting in an Amish community, and how the community learns to provide forgiveness and compassion.
    — Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The idea is to provide a pathway to student loan forgiveness for people who work in public service.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Noun
  • Beat writing—its jumpy jazz rhythms light and alliterative, so unlike Faulkner’s sonorous throat clearings—did not jive with McCarthy’s other influences.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • With lighter winds, dry air and clearing skies, conditions will be favorable for strong overnight cooling.
    — Michael Autovino, CBS News, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of clearing
Noun
  • Internal affairs complaints The lawsuit identifies five internal complaints filed against Sumstad between December 2022 and October 2025 and alleges each was dismissed, deemed unsubstantiated or ended in her exoneration.
    — Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In fact, Mickes and Wixted have found that, in many exoneration cases, a witness resolutely identified a person in court despite having dithered and debated during the initial photo lineup.
    — Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of exoneration
Noun
  • Staring down an assembly of the outraged, Digger spells out the ruthless logic of global capitalism and claims the world’s fuel dependency as the ultimate vindication.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Choi, a field engineer who has since returned to the same Georgia plant, said the claim is about vindication.
    — Hanna Park, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of vindication

Browse Nearby Words

acquits
acquittal
acquittals
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Cite this Entry

“Acquittal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/acquittal. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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