B2 verb Formal

acquittal

/əˈkwɪt.əl/

An acquittal is a formal legal judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they have been charged. It occurs when a jury or judge determines that the prosecution has not proven the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The neighborhood celebrated the local man's acquittal after months of tension.

The community was happy when the local man was found not guilty after a long time.

2

The defense attorney successfully argued for an acquittal based on procedural errors during the investigation.

The lawyer managed to get a 'not guilty' verdict because the police made mistakes.

3

I can't believe he got an acquittal with all that evidence against him!

I am shocked he was found not guilty despite the proof they had!

Word Family

Noun
acquittal
Verb
acquit
Adjective
acquitted
Related
acquittee
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Memory Tip

Think of 'A-Quit-All'. The court tells the defendant they can 'quit' the courtroom because 'all' charges are dropped.

Quick Quiz

The defense team was confident that the lack of witnesses would lead to a(n) ________.

Correct!

The correct answer is: acquittal

Examples

1

The neighborhood celebrated the local man's acquittal after months of tension.

everyday

The community was happy when the local man was found not guilty after a long time.

2

The defense attorney successfully argued for an acquittal based on procedural errors during the investigation.

formal

The lawyer managed to get a 'not guilty' verdict because the police made mistakes.

3

I can't believe he got an acquittal with all that evidence against him!

informal

I am shocked he was found not guilty despite the proof they had!

4

Legal scholars debate whether the high rate of acquittal in this jurisdiction suggests a flaw in the jury selection process.

academic

Experts are discussing if the many 'not guilty' verdicts mean there is a problem with how juries are chosen.

5

Following the executive's acquittal, the company's stock price saw a significant rebound.

business

After the manager was found not guilty, the value of the company's shares went up again.

Word Family

Noun
acquittal
Verb
acquit
Adjective
acquitted
Related
acquittee

Common Collocations

win an acquittal to succeed in being declared not guilty
unanimous acquittal a decision of innocence where every juror agrees
direct an acquittal when a judge orders a 'not guilty' verdict
secure an acquittal to manage to obtain a verdict of not guilty
jury acquittal a 'not guilty' verdict delivered by a jury

Common Phrases

motion for acquittal

a formal request for the judge to end the trial because the evidence is too weak

judgment of acquittal

a formal court order declaring a person not guilty

seek an acquittal

to try to be found innocent in court

Often Confused With

acquittal vs acquaintance

Acquaintance refers to a person you know slightly, whereas acquittal is a legal verdict of innocence.

acquittal vs exoneration

Exoneration is a general term for being cleared of blame, while acquittal is specifically a court's verdict.

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Usage Notes

Acquittal is a noun; the corresponding verb is 'acquit'. It is primarily used in legal or very formal contexts to describe the end of a criminal trial.

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Common Mistakes

Learners often try to use 'acquittal' as a verb. For example, 'The jury acquittaled him' is incorrect; it should be 'The jury acquitted him'.

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Memory Tip

Think of 'A-Quit-All'. The court tells the defendant they can 'quit' the courtroom because 'all' charges are dropped.

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Word Origin

Derived from the Old French 'aquiter', meaning 'to pay a debt' or 'to set free'.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun Often used with the verbs 'win', 'secure', or 'grant' The plural form is 'acquittals'
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Cultural Context

In many Western legal systems, an acquittal triggers 'double jeopardy' protections, meaning the person cannot be tried again for the same crime.

Quick Quiz

The defense team was confident that the lack of witnesses would lead to a(n) ________.

Correct!

The correct answer is: acquittal

Related Words

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pesticide

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A chemical substance used to kill or control pests that are harmful to crops, livestock, or humans. It is an umbrella term that includes insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides used widely in agriculture and gardening.

fertilizer

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A chemical or natural substance added to soil or land to increase its fertility and provide essential nutrients for plant growth. It is primarily used in gardening and agriculture to help crops develop faster and produce higher yields.

irrigation

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To supply land or crops with water through man-made systems such as pipes, ditches, or sprinklers. It is an essential agricultural process used to assist in the growth of plants, especially in areas with low rainfall.

flood

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Describing something relating to a large amount of water covering an area that is usually dry, or metaphorically, being overwhelmed by an excessive quantity of something. In common usage, the form 'flooded' is typically used as the adjective to describe this state.

erosion

B2

Erosion is the process by which the surface of the earth is worn away by natural forces such as water, wind, or ice. In a figurative sense, it refers to the gradual destruction or reduction of something abstract, such as power, rights, or confidence.

desertification

B2

The process by which fertile land becomes desert, typically as a result of drought, deforestation, or inappropriate agriculture. It represents a significant environmental challenge where land loses its biological productivity and ability to support human life.

afforestation

B2

Afforestation is the process of establishing a forest on land that has not recently been covered by trees. It involves planting seeds or saplings to create new wooded areas, often to improve the environment or for commercial timber.

endangered

B2

To put someone or something at risk or in a situation where they could be harmed, damaged, or destroyed. In environmental contexts, it specifically refers to species that are at high risk of becoming extinct in the near future.

extinction

B2

Extinction is the state or process of a species, family, or larger group being or becoming extinct, meaning it no longer has any living members. It can also refer to the act of making something, such as a fire, a feeling, or a practice, cease to exist.

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