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
The findings also effectively means the exoneration of four teenage boys initially implicated in the killings in 1999, two of whom confessed.
—
Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Despite the exoneration, the battle wasn’t over.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Since her exoneration, Knox has become a respected author of three books, a journalist, activist, and podcaster.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And the sweeping set of criminal charges and civil judgments that once threatened his fortune and freedom are crumbling in appellate courts — a trajectory some experts say could lead to total exoneration.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
False confessions were found in 13% of exonerations.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Jean Casarez, CNN Money, 5 Oct. 2025
Despite the exoneration, the battle wasn’t over.
—Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2025
Since her exoneration, Knox has become a respected author of three books, a journalist, activist, and podcaster.
—Dana Feldman, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
And the sweeping set of criminal charges and civil judgments that once threatened his fortune and freedom are crumbling in appellate courts — a trajectory some experts say could lead to total exoneration.
—Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2025
False confessions were found in 13% of exonerations.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exoneration
Noun
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Trump has suggested that the pardons Biden signed using the technology should be considered null and void.—
Lalee Ibssa,
ABC News,
24 Sep. 2025
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His pardon came after years of pressure on Egypt’s government from his family, that included long hunger strikes by Abd El-Fattah and his mother, Laila Soueif, who is a professor of math at Cairo University.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Immediate forgiveness – a message of letting go of the anger that comes with being so terribly wronged – has a familiar sound to those who have been following a frighteningly violent news cycle.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
1 Oct. 2025
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Recently, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has also taken legal action against the Department of Education, alleging that the administration has unlawfully delayed or denied access to loan forgiveness programs, such as IDR and PSLF.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Anyhoodle, the three dudes went to a clearing and saw hanging net buckets and a stack of coconuts.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
2 Oct. 2025
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There arc few, if any, clearings, old apple trees, and old stone walls.—
Worth Matthewson,
Outdoor Life,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Days before Diddy was set to appear in court for his sentencing, Judge Subramanian rejected the rapper's last-ditch request for a new trial and demand for a full acquittal.—
Lauryn Overhultz , Tracy Wright , Maria Paronich , Kirill Clark,
FOXNews.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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Repeatedly failing to get bail or a new trial or acquittal, Combs has been teaching a life coach class to fellow inmates while incarcerated in Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center since September 2024.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Arteta has been criticised for having a ‘safety-first’ approach, but the numbers offer him some vindication.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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That’s a vindication story that would really make millions of viewers happy.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Exoneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exoneration. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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