amnesty

am·nes·ty

noun \ˈam-nə-stē\

plural am·nes·ties

Definition of AMNESTY

: the act of an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals

— amnesty transitive verb

Examples of AMNESTY

1. The government gave amnesty to all political prisoners.
2. Illegal immigrants who came into the country before 1982 were granted amnesty.

Origin of AMNESTY

Greek amnēstia forgetfulness, from amnēstos forgotten, from a- + mnasthai to remember — more at mind

First Known Use: 1580

Related to AMNESTY

Synonyms: absolution, pardon, forgiveness, remission, remittal

Antonyms: penalty, punishment, retribution

Related Words: parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; condonation; exemption, immunity, impunity, indemnity; commutation, commuting, reprieve; clemency, leniency, mercy

Near Antonyms: conviction, sentence; assessment, charge, fine, imposition, levying; castigation, chastening, chastisement, condemnation

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism