as in exchange
a giving or taking of one thing of value in return for another
an international commutation of food for oil
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Recent Examples of commutation
Trump has a record of rewarding political supporters in exercising his pardon and commutation privileges, even beyond his decision to spare Duncan and Margaret Hunter and other white-collar convicts from federal punishment.
—
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The governor has made a tradition of issuing pardons and commutations ahead of the holiday season.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
Pressley’s office did not compile a report on Biden’s pardon and commutation record, a spokeswoman confirmed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Presidents can extend a pardon, or complete legal forgiveness of a crime, or a commutation, which is the reduction of a sentence.
—Stewart Ulrich, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commutation
Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
The governor has made a tradition of issuing pardons and commutations ahead of the holiday season.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 18 Dec. 2025
Pressley’s office did not compile a report on Biden’s pardon and commutation record, a spokeswoman confirmed.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
Presidents can extend a pardon, or complete legal forgiveness of a crime, or a commutation, which is the reduction of a sentence.
—Stewart Ulrich, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for commutation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for commutation
exchange
Noun
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The House Oversight Committee’s first hearing on the Minnesota fraud scandal was complete with lawmakers pointing fingers and exchanging barbs in heated exchanges.—
Lauren Green,
The Washington Examiner,
8 Jan. 2026
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His son looks just as focused, especially after the two exchange words.—
Mirin Fader,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Commutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/commutation. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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