What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
acquittal
Example
The jury returned an acquittal verdict, finding the defendant not guilty. [acquittal: noun]
Example
The defense attorney worked hard to secure an acquittal for his client. [acquittal: noun]
exoneration
Example
The new evidence led to the exoneration of the wrongly accused man. [exoneration: noun]
Example
The investigation resulted in the exoneration of the police officer who was falsely accused. [exoneration: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Acquittal is more commonly used than exoneration, especially in legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between acquittal and exoneration?
Both acquittal and exoneration are formal words that are typically used in legal or official contexts.