as in remitting
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1
as in forgiving
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward
he eventually pardoned his sister after she apologized
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ignoring
to dismiss as of little importance
I'm willing to pardon a little sloppiness of dress in such a kind and loving person
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pardoning
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
No one can stop him from directing the Justice Department to indict his enemies for non-crimes while ignoring or pardoning the actual crimes of his political allies.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
South Korea has a history of pardoning former presidents who were jailed over diverse crimes in the name of promoting national unity.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Thursday’s report is not the first time the possibility of Trump pardoning Combs has been publicly discussed.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump previously voiced support for pardoning Netanyahu and discussed the matter during their Monday meeting at Mar-a-Lago.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025
Biden courted controversy by pardoning his son before leaving office.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In some cases, pardoning individuals who acted under duress – and even willing but nonviolent collaborators who fully disclose their actions – can support postwar reconciliation.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
While the rest of the country gets done pardoning turkeys, Miami pardoned a pig.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025
Verb
Nearly a century later, in 1977, Jimmy Carter helped mend the divisions plaguing the United States in the aftermath of the Vietnam War by pardoning those who had dodged the draft.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
No one can stop him from directing the Justice Department to indict his enemies for non-crimes while ignoring or pardoning the actual crimes of his political allies.
—Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
South Korea has a history of pardoning former presidents who were jailed over diverse crimes in the name of promoting national unity.
—Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Thursday’s report is not the first time the possibility of Trump pardoning Combs has been publicly discussed.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 9 Jan. 2026
Trump previously voiced support for pardoning Netanyahu and discussed the matter during their Monday meeting at Mar-a-Lago.
—Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 29 Dec. 2025
Biden courted controversy by pardoning his son before leaving office.
—Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 16 Dec. 2025
In some cases, pardoning individuals who acted under duress – and even willing but nonviolent collaborators who fully disclose their actions – can support postwar reconciliation.
—Valerie Morkevicius, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2025
While the rest of the country gets done pardoning turkeys, Miami pardoned a pig.
—Julia Gomez, USA Today, 9 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardoning
Verb
-
Not everyone who heard Woodruff speak was as forgiving as Walker.—
Jennifer Gonnerman,
New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Few plants are as forgiving as pothos.—
Madeline Buiano,
Martha Stewart,
23 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Things that used to feel so urgent and non-negotiable (being disciplined, heeding early alarms, ignoring my body’s cues) now have a patina over them.—
Dimity McDowell,
Time,
24 Feb. 2026
-
This skeptical energy plays under the surface of the novel (Hjorth’s funniest) as Johanna begins to surveil her mother, ignoring her sister’s perfectly reasonable requests to leave her in peace.—
Elaine Blair,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On the same floor, Tea Lounge Kafu is a serene tearoom overlooking the bamboo atrium, with seasonally changing scroll art in its tokonoma alcove.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Feb. 2026
-
The full-floor primary suite has boutique-quality closets and a white marble spa bath, plus an office with quality custom millwork overlooking Mohawk Street.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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After serving a fragrant tempura of shiitake, Murai unexpectedly pulled out a bottle of Domaine Takahiko Pinot Noir, explaining apologetically that the winemaker permits him to pair it only with the umami-rich mushroom course.—
Alex Halberstadt,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Persons-Mulicka responded by explaining what her bill would do, but not why.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Bank of America analyst Michael Feniger last week raised his price forecast to $825 from $735, justifying a higher multiple as turbine demand broadens out.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
20 Feb. 2026
-
But insurance companies have many ways to hide cash while justifying higher rates.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Morgan said the police officer and the city are fair game — especially if Patel’s attorneys can show certain exculpatory evidence was withheld.—
Shaddi Abusaid,
AJC.com,
9 Feb. 2026
-
In a separate court filing submitted Monday, Cole’s attorneys also demanded broad discovery, including all statements attributed to him, investigative notes, information about the FBI’s use of informants to identify Cole as a suspect, and any exculpatory material.—
Kaelan Deese,
The Washington Examiner,
29 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pardoning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardoning. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
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