amnesty

play

noun am·nes·ty \ˈam-nə-stē\

Definition of amnesty

plural

amnesties

: the act of an authority (such as a government) by which pardon is granted to a large group of individuals The government granted amnesty to all political prisoners. a general amnesty

amnesty

transitive verb

See amnesty defined for English-language learners

See amnesty defined for kids

Examples of amnesty in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of amnesty from the Web

Conservative supporters of preserving the filibuster rules say Republicans used them to block a liberal agenda when the Democrats held the majority, such as bills on immigration amnesty and gun control.

— jonece starr dunigan, AL.com, "Man found with gunshot wound at Birmingham business," 13 July 2017
Colombia’s president, Juan Manuel Santos, signed a decree giving amnesty to 3,600 members of the FARC.

— The Economist, "Politics this week," 13 July 2017
Former Gov. Charlie Crist led an effort in 2007 to give amnesty to many felons, who regained their civil rights without hearings.

— steve bousquet, miamiherald, "Thousands of Florida felons wait decades to regain the right to vote," 13 July 2017
Why Trump would agree to such an amnesty program is never really explained, because The Fourth Way is entirely an exercise in wish-fulfillment.

— alex shephard, New Republic, "Meet the Trump-splainers," 3 July 2017
Sign Up To make sure everyone comes forward, London Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged to seek an amnesty for people who may have been living in the public housing block illegally.

— danica kirka, The Christian Science Monitor, "London police intensify investigation around Grenfell fire, with possible manslaughter charges," 24 June 2017
To make sure everyone comes forward, London Mayor Sadiq Khan pledged to seek an amnesty for people who may have been living in the public housing block illegally.

— melanie eversley, USA TODAY, "London council evacuates hundreds of homes amid fire safety concerns," 23 June 2017
Anyone caught with an unregistered firearm outside the amnesty period could face a $280,000 (US$212,500) fine and up to 14 years in prison.

— james griffiths, CNN, "Australia announces three-month gun amnesty," 16 June 2017
He was soon freed in an amnesty when a Medici became pope, but his government career was over.

— edmund fawcett, New York Times, "Machiavelli: Good Guy or Bad? This Biography Argues for the Former," 16 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'amnesty.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of amnesty

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1580

See Words from the same year

Other Government and Politics Terms

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

AMNESTY Defined for English Language Learners

amnesty

play

noun

Definition of amnesty for English Language Learners

: a decision that a group of people will not be punished or that a group of prisoners will be allowed to go free

Law Dictionary

amnesty

play

noun am·nes·ty \ˈam-nəs-tē\

Legal Definition of amnesty

plural

amnesties

: an act of clemency by an authority (as a government) by which pardon is granted especially to a group of individuals illegal-alien farm workers seeking amnesty — National Law Journal