EXONERATION Synonyms: 24 Similar and Opposite Words

exoneration

noun

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 Experts told me some prosecutors around the country were using the obscure plea as a tool to thwart exonerations. — Megan Rose, ProPublica, 9 Sep. 2026 The office has also argued that the 2024 appellate ruling did not equate to an exoneration that warranted completely vacating Stubblefield’s conviction and sentence. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 1 Sep. 2026 The Ohio Parole Board recommended commuting a death row inmate’s sentence to life in prison as his bid for exoneration garners support from Kim Kardashian and other celebrities. — Josh Feldman, NBC news, 26 Aug. 2026 Florida also has the highest death row exoneration record out of any other state — 30 since 1973, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. — Miami Herald, 22 Aug. 2026 His case has been the subject of documentaries and true-crime podcasts and garnered celebrity attention from Kim Kardashian and actors Hilarie Burton and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who all support his exoneration. — ABC News, 18 Aug. 2026 The assistant district attorney assigned to the case spoke to jurors in terms that seemed to guarantee Mulholland’s exoneration. — Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2026 The exoneration effort was a cause in which many of the festival participants were involved, and the Connecticut Witch and Culture Festival was a celebration of that success. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 3 Aug. 2026 As presented in the Gang’s illogical scapegoating, fear-mongering, and overall manipulative self-exoneration, the debate turned into a farce. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for exoneration

Noun

Asked for comment, a White House official said presidential pardons apply only to federal convictions.

— Rebecca Cohen, NBC news, 8 Sep. 2026
But Lindsay's facing state charges, so a presidential pardon isn't an option here.

— Kristina Rex, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of pardon

Noun

When Fyodor drags himself on the floor, begging for forgiveness or a bit more money to play roulette, the gesture straddles the line between humor and intense discomfort — veering into cringe comedy.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
This is given an almost mystical significance, made all the more ridiculous when an actual priest gives a sermon using the brothers as an object lesson in the value of forgiveness.

— Damon Wise, Deadline, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of forgiveness

Noun

Sonil Jain, Co-founder of Sowtex and ReMaterial, noted that for a fabric exporter trading with Russia, Brazil, or the UAE, there were many possible benefits, including cheaper, faster B2B settlements without dollar-clearing fees destroying margins.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026
With about 2 1/2 minutes left in the first period against Montreal, Björck lost the draw, but stayed in position above the play and covered for teammate Alexandre Taillefer when the defenceman bobbled a Canadiens clearing attempt.

— Murat Ates, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of clearing

Noun

Although the circumstantial case against Lizzie was strong, a lack of physical evidence ultimately helped win her an acquittal.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Sep. 2026
On Thursday, suggesting the judge’s words to the jury were too weak, Reddington wanted the stubborn juror tossed out – likely in the hopes of an acquittal.

— Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of acquittal

Noun

The performance seemed like an early vindication for Kiffin, the $13-million-a-year lightning rod.

— Seth Emerson, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
However, ultimate vindication, or at least mitigation on the legal side of things, as well as the potential of AI as a multiplier for Meta's business, is keeping us in the stock.

— Paulina Likos, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of vindication

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exonerating

exoneration

exonerations

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“Exoneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exoneration. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of exoneration

noun

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