as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
the accused refused a plea bargain, asserting that he was innocent and would settle for nothing less than complete exoneration
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Recent Examples of exoneration
As a trial judge, he was known for emphasizing rehabilitation and alternative sentencing and presided over proceedings that led to the posthumous exoneration of Tim Cole.
—
Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Mejia was not released at the conclusion of the exoneration hearing because of an immigration hold stemming from her conviction.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
An email seeking comment about the exoneration was not immediately answered.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Administrative complaints start the process that ends at the state Board of Medicine with either exoneration or punitive action.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
District Attorney José Garza, who had pursued the exonerations with his Conviction Integrity Unit, apologized to the men and their families after the hearing.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Since the founding of the Innocence Project, in 1992, which uses DNA evidence to overturn convictions, exoneration stories have become a familiar genre.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Tulsky decided to take that dive a couple of years after McIntyre’s exoneration.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Mejia was not released at the conclusion of the exoneration hearing because of an immigration hold stemming from her conviction.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
An email seeking comment about the exoneration was not immediately answered.
—CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Administrative complaints start the process that ends at the state Board of Medicine with either exoneration or punitive action.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2026
District Attorney José Garza, who had pursued the exonerations with his Conviction Integrity Unit, apologized to the men and their families after the hearing.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Since the founding of the Innocence Project, in 1992, which uses DNA evidence to overturn convictions, exoneration stories have become a familiar genre.
—Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 18 Feb. 2026
Tulsky decided to take that dive a couple of years after McIntyre’s exoneration.
—Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exoneration
Noun
-
The president later granted Stone a full pardon.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As governor, Moore himself issued a mass pardon for misdemeanor drug convictions.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
De Kock asked for forgiveness from some of his victims, according to the BBC.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
If there is forgiveness, there is understanding.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Raymond scored with Logan Stanley in the box for interference, and was set up by Moritz Seider leaping at the blue line to bat down Ryan McLeod's clearing attempt.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Raymond scored with Logan Stanley in the box for interference, and was set up by Moritz Seider leaping at the blue line to bat down Ryan McLeod’s clearing attempt.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Snyder’s appeal makes a motion for new trial on his charge of obstructing the IRS and challenges the denial of his motion for acquittal and the denial of a motion for leave to file a motion for a new trial for obstructing the IRS, according to the two-page notice of appeal.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The jurors deliberated for two days in late October before reaching their verdicts, which included one acquittal of a wire-fraud count.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The current war has vindicated their investments in renewable energy – though the vindication has limits.—
Ezgi Canpolat,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
-
His remarks might serve as vindication to the Americans feeling the squeeze from the data center boom.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exoneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exoneration. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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