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
Eyewitness misidentification was a contributing factor in nearly 1,200 out of more than 4,000 exonerations nationwide, according to the National Registry of Exonerations, a database put together by the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and UCI Newkirk Center for Science and Society.
—
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Walker's son, Ted Smith, 72, gave testimony at his father's posthumous exoneration, noting his mother never recovered after the execution.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Creuzot has highlighted his office’s work on criminal justice reforms, including establishing deflection centers to steer people with mental illness to treatment instead of jail, reducing juvenile detention and prioritizing conviction integrity and exoneration.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
In the eyes of Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the reaction inside the White House to Renee Good’s death earlier this month — and the president’s quick exoneration of the immigration agent who shot her — served as a troubling harbinger for the Bay Area.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Dateline reached out to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office about Dee Dee’s case and the cases of Ramseur and Conley in the wake of Chapman’s exoneration.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
The Broadway production will also include a partnership with the Innocence Project, the organization dedicated to freeing the wrongfully convicted and reforming the criminal justice system (and the same group that helped secure Yarris’ exoneration).
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
For the better part of a decade, Illinois led the nation in annual exonerations until it was surpassed by Texas in 2024, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Secretary Hegseth has called that a complete exoneration.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Walker's son, Ted Smith, 72, gave testimony at his father's posthumous exoneration, noting his mother never recovered after the execution.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Creuzot has highlighted his office’s work on criminal justice reforms, including establishing deflection centers to steer people with mental illness to treatment instead of jail, reducing juvenile detention and prioritizing conviction integrity and exoneration.
—Jane Harper, Dallas Morning News, 20 Jan. 2026
In the eyes of Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the reaction inside the White House to Renee Good’s death earlier this month — and the president’s quick exoneration of the immigration agent who shot her — served as a troubling harbinger for the Bay Area.
—Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 18 Jan. 2026
Dateline reached out to the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office about Dee Dee’s case and the cases of Ramseur and Conley in the wake of Chapman’s exoneration.
—Sarah Dahlberg, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
The Broadway production will also include a partnership with the Innocence Project, the organization dedicated to freeing the wrongfully convicted and reforming the criminal justice system (and the same group that helped secure Yarris’ exoneration).
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026
For the better part of a decade, Illinois led the nation in annual exonerations until it was surpassed by Texas in 2024, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
Secretary Hegseth has called that a complete exoneration.
—ABC News, 7 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exoneration
Noun
-
The White House doesn’t comment on potential clemency requests, but the president is the ultimate decider on pardons and commutations.—
Jacqueline Munis,
Fortune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The White House is sifting through thousands of clemency requests, including a pardon bid by Archegos Capital Management founder Bill Hwang, who was convicted over the collapse of his $36 billion family office.—
Bloomberg,
Mercury News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Some creditors may even offer partial balance forgiveness in extreme circumstances, though this is less common.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
2 Feb. 2026
-
Instead of opting for skintight jeans, 2026 can be the year of straight-leg denim that still flatters a wide range of body types but with a little more forgiveness.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In San Jose, Mahan, who took office in 2023, has made encampment clearings a centerpiece of his administration.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
The Heat also over the past year dealt away forward Haywood Highsmith to the Brooklyn Nets, in a cap-clearing move, with Highsmith waived Thursday by the Nets.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The criminal case against Shumate was dismissed after the acquittal.—
Patrick Danner,
San Antonio Express-News,
3 Feb. 2026
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Over 30 years ago, Los Angeles reached a boiling point following the acquittal of four police officers who brutally beat Rodney King.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Harrison treated it as karmic vindication for trading Luka Doncic a few months earlier, for enduring the outrage from the Dallas community and the criticism from media, rival front offices and fans nationally.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2026
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Defensive tackle Leonard Williams is understanding of the vindication Lawrence feels.—
Calvin Watkins
Feb. 2,
Dallas Morning News,
2 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exoneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exoneration. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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