An acquittal is a jury’s verdict that a criminal defendant is found not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction, thus dismissing the criminal case completely.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
acquittal (noun) a setting free from the charge of an offense by verdict, sentence, or other legal process
Merriam-Webster Online Thesaurus
acquittal (noun)a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
SYNONYMS:
clearing, exculpation, exoneration, vindicationRELATED WORDS:
absolution, condonation, forgiveness, pardon, remission; atonement, expiation; compurgation; whitewashNEAR ANTONYMS:
accusation, arraignment, impeachment, incrimination, indictment; prosecution; castigation, censure, condemnation, denunciationSynonyms:
Complete Acquittal, Charges Dropped, Acquitted, Case Dismissed