When a defendant in a criminal trial is declared not guilty, it is a relief for them and their loved ones. There are various synonyms for the phrase "receives not-guilty verdict," including acquitted, exonerated, cleared, vindicated, and declared innocent. Acquitted means the person has been declared innocent of the charges brought against them. Exonerated means that a person is relieved of any wrongdoing and cleared of all charges. Vindicated refers to a person who has been justified or proven right after being accused of wrongdoing. Declared innocent means that a person is officially found not guilty of a crime. These synonyms represent the positive outcome of a court case that can bring closure to those involved.