acquitted

USAGE SUMMARY

"acquitted" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is a verb that means to be declared not guilty of a criminal charge or to be released from a duty or task. Example sentence: After a lengthy trial, the suspect was finally acquitted of all charges.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was acquitted.

The New York Times

So far, each of Ireland, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and Afghanistan have acquitted themselves wonderfully, with Ireland beating West Indies, and the two best contested and closest matches coming between Ireland and UAE and Scotland and Afghanistan.

The Guardian - Sport

The admission came shortly after the only three men to be charged in connection with the suicide bombings were acquitted yesterday.

The Guardian

The legal system has plenty of examples of people who are charged and then acquitted at trial.

The Guardian - Opinion

Insp Douglas Lovelock, the marksman who shot her, stood trial in 1987 charged with inflicting unlawful and malicious grievous bodily harm and was acquitted.

The Guardian

Berlusconi was convicted in 2013 of the most serious charges he has faced in a scandal-hit career, only to be acquitted on appeal a year later.

The Guardian

Bail is available so that a person who might ultimately be acquitted is not punished in the meantime.

The Guardian - Opinion

She also said the IPCC had not contacted the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) or her campaign group, and it had been left to them to find and interview former miners, explaining that they had forwarded testimony of 15 miners plus a number of the 95 acquitted pickets to investigators.

The Guardian

In the event, he elected for trial at crown court and was acquitted.

The Guardian

But it is only a small part of a story tangled in a series of criminal charges – which were variously dismissed, acquitted, or ruled mistrial – of violence, prison time, escape and political asylum in Cuba.

The Guardian - Books

Repeatedly, white police officers who killed black men were acquitted of any charges, leading to huge protests – in Ferguson, Missouri, after a police officer killed 18-year-old Michael Brown; in New York after a grand jury decided not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo after the death of Eric Garner; and, soon, nationwide.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "acquitted", ensure the context clearly indicates the charges or accusations from which the person was cleared. Clarity is key, especially in legal or journalistic writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that an acquittal definitively proves innocence. It only means that the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Do not overstate the implications of an acquittal.

Linguistic Context

The term "acquitted" functions primarily as a past participle of the verb "acquit". It describes the state of someone who has been formally declared not guilty of a crime. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a correct usage. The examples in Ludwig show its application in describing legal outcomes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "acquitted" is primarily used to describe a legal outcome where an individual is found not guilty of a crime. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, mainly within the news and media. Related phrases include "found not guilty" and "cleared of charges". When using "acquitted", it's important to be clear about the specific charges involved and avoid overstating the implications of the acquittal. While it signifies that the prosecution did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it doesn't necessarily equate to proven innocence. Ludwig's examples showcase its common application in reporting legal proceedings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

found not guilty

Focuses specifically on the legal verdict of innocence.

cleared of charges

Emphasizes the removal of accusations or indictments.

exonerated

Suggests a thorough clearing of blame, often after investigation.

vindicated

Implies a justification or defense against accusations.

absolved

Formally releases someone from guilt, obligation, or punishment.

discharged

Signifies being released from a duty, obligation or accusation, often in a legal context.

released

Simple term for being set free from custody or accusations.

let off

Informal way of saying someone was not punished.

given the benefit of the doubt

Suggests being spared conviction due to lack of conclusive evidence.

proven innocent

Highlights that innocence was definitively established.

FAQs

How to use "acquitted" in a sentence?

Use "acquitted" to indicate that someone has been found not guilty of a crime. For instance, "The defendant was "acquitted" after the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence."

What's the difference between "acquitted" and "exonerated"?

"Acquitted" means being found not guilty in court. "Exonerated" implies a complete clearance of blame, often through new evidence or a re-examination of the case. "Exonerated" suggests a stronger affirmation of innocence.

What can I say instead of "acquitted"?

You can use alternatives like "found not guilty", "cleared of charges", or "exonerated" depending on the context.

Is it accurate to say someone is "acquitted" before a trial?

No, the term "acquitted" specifically refers to the outcome of a trial where a defendant is found not guilty. Before a trial, a person is simply presumed innocent until proven guilty.