cleared of murder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cleared of murder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal contexts to indicate that someone has been found not guilty of murder or that charges have been dropped. Example: "After a lengthy trial, the defendant was finally cleared of murder, allowing him to return to his family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But Mackenny was cleared of murder.

The Guardian

All three were cleared of murder.

The Guardian

Though released from jail, Mr. Sharmaidze has not been formally cleared of murder.

The New York Times

Preddies cleared of murder, but jurors cannot reach verdict on manslaughter charges.

The Guardian

Morris was cleared of murder, but jailed for four years for deliberately attacking the boy.

The Guardian

After a brief statement amid extraordinarily tense courtroom scenes, Knox and Sollecito were cleared of murder.

The Guardian

Rees was cleared of murder on Friday alongside his brothers-in-law, Glenn and Garry Vian.

The Guardian

The South African athlete was cleared of murder but convicted of culpable homicide by Judge Thokozile Masipa on 12 September.

Independent

A Marine Corps officer cleared of murder accusations in the shootings of two Iraqis said he would resign his commission.

The New York Times

Johnston was found guilty of his manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison after being cleared of murder.

The Guardian

Hoare was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter, as well as perverting the course of justice, possessing prohibited weapons and preventing Ms Watts' lawful burial.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting legal news, use "cleared of murder" to clearly and concisely state that a person is no longer facing murder charges. This term is easily understood by a general audience.

Common error

Avoid implying complete innocence if the person was "cleared of murder" but convicted of a lesser charge, such as manslaughter. State both outcomes clearly to avoid misrepresentation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cleared of murder" functions as a predicate adjective phrase. It describes the state of an individual after legal proceedings, indicating they are no longer considered guilty of the crime. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in numerous legal and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

92%

Wiki

4%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cleared of murder" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the legal outcome of a murder trial or investigation, as confirmed by Ludwig. It indicates that an individual is no longer facing murder charges, either through acquittal or dismissal of the case. While the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, its neutral register makes it suitable for various forms of communication. Be mindful to use it accurately, especially when other charges or moral implications are still present. Alternatives such as "acquitted of murder" or "exonerated of murder" may be more appropriate depending on the specific details of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

acquitted of murder

Focuses specifically on a court verdict of not guilty.

exonerated of murder

Implies a complete removal of blame, often with new evidence.

found not guilty of murder

States the legal outcome in a direct, unambiguous way.

charges of murder dropped

Highlights that the prosecution has been discontinued.

absolved of murder

Indicates a formal release from guilt or blame.

vindicated of murder

Suggests that the person's innocence has been proven after doubt.

declared innocent of murder

Emphasizes a formal declaration of innocence.

freed from murder charge

Focuses on the release from the specific legal charge.

not convicted of murder

Highlights the absence of a guilty verdict.

proven innocent of murder

Suggests a demonstration of innocence.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "cleared of murder"?

To be "cleared of murder" means that a person who was accused of murder has been found not guilty, or the charges against them have been dropped. This does not necessarily mean the person is innocent of any wrongdoing, but specifically that they are not legally responsible for the crime of murder.

What's the difference between "cleared of murder" and "acquitted of murder"?

"Cleared of murder" is a broader term that can include situations where charges are dropped or dismissed, as well as cases where a not-guilty verdict is reached. "Acquitted of murder" specifically refers to a not-guilty verdict delivered by a court.

What can I say instead of "cleared of murder"?

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

If someone is "cleared of murder", are they completely innocent?

Not necessarily. Being "cleared of murder" means they are not legally culpable for that specific charge. They may still be guilty of other offenses, such as manslaughter, or there may be moral questions surrounding their involvement in the events.