Understanding the Antonym of 'Acquitted'

The question asks for the most appropriate antonym of the underlined word 'acquitted' in the sentence: "He was acquitted of all the charges in the court today."

First, let's understand the meaning of the word 'acquitted' in this context.

Meaning of Acquitted:

• In a legal setting, to be 'acquitted' means to be found not guilty of a crime by a court of law.
• When someone is acquitted, they are legally cleared of the charges brought against them.

Now, let's examine the given options to find the word that means the opposite of being found not guilty.

Analyzing the Options for the Antonym

1. Discharged: This word means to release someone from a duty, service, or custody. While it involves release, in a legal context, being discharged from custody might follow an acquittal, but 'discharged' itself isn't the direct legal opposite of 'acquitted' regarding the verdict.

2. Praised: This means to express admiration or approval of someone or something. This word is unrelated to legal verdicts in a court of law.

3. Conformed: This means to comply with rules, standards, or laws. It refers to behaviour, not a legal judgment on whether someone committed a crime.

4. Convicted: In a legal context, to be 'convicted' means to be found guilty of a crime by a court of law. This is the direct opposite of being found not guilty (acquitted).

Identifying the Correct Antonym

Comparing the meaning of 'acquitted' (found not guilty) with the options, 'convicted' (found guilty) is the clear antonym. When a person goes to court facing charges, they can either be acquitted (found not guilty) or convicted (found guilty).

Final Answer Explanation: Antonym of Acquitted

The word that is the opposite in meaning to 'acquitted' is 'convicted'. 'Acquitted' means cleared of charges, while 'convicted' means found guilty of charges.

Therefore, the most appropriate antonym of 'acquitted' is 'Convicted'.

Revision Table: Key Vocabulary

Additional Information: Legal Terminology

Understanding legal terms like 'acquitted' and 'convicted' is important for vocabulary building, especially in contexts related to law and justice.

• An acquittal is a verdict in a criminal trial in which the defendant is found not guilty. It is a final judgment.
• A conviction is a finding of guilt by a judge or jury, or a guilty plea by the defendant.
• These terms represent the two main possible outcomes regarding guilt or innocence in a criminal trial.
• Other related terms might include 'charge' (an accusation of a crime), 'verdict' (the formal finding by a jury or judge), and 'sentence' (the punishment given after a conviction).