as in amnesties
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense
the criminal is hoping for a presidential pardon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in forgives
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward
he eventually pardoned his sister after she apologized
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ignores
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pardons
Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Not everyone who posts will end up behind bars and many cases end with pardons.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
About 15 of the 22 people on the list had sought pardons, and six were engaged in litigation, the official said.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
Lawsuits help felons get their guns back A majority of the 22 individuals named in February by the attorney general had their rights restored after applying for full pardons at the department.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The data shows that the money is pouring in from leaders of the crypto and fossil fuel industries; other businesspeople whose companies hold large government contracts; and wealthy individuals who have received key administration appointments or even presidential pardons for family members.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
That matters because presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state cases.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
The January 6th hearings didn’t stop the pardons.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
The strategy makes sense given that Trump has been dispensing pardons to several high-profile figures convicted of financial crimes, including Binance founder and onetime Bankman-Fried archrival, Changpeng Zhao.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump pardons 5 former NFL stars for wide-ranging crimes.
—FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll After years of struggle and transformation, country musician Jelly Roll was pardoned by Tennessee’s governor for his criminal past in the state.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
One objection in the White House, according to a person who works on pardons, may have been Ver’s flamboyant rejection of his American citizenship.
—Avi Asher-Schapiro, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
Not everyone who posts will end up behind bars and many cases end with pardons.
—Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 12 Mar. 2026
About 15 of the 22 people on the list had sought pardons, and six were engaged in litigation, the official said.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 11 Mar. 2026
Lawsuits help felons get their guns back A majority of the 22 individuals named in February by the attorney general had their rights restored after applying for full pardons at the department.
—Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
The data shows that the money is pouring in from leaders of the crypto and fossil fuel industries; other businesspeople whose companies hold large government contracts; and wealthy individuals who have received key administration appointments or even presidential pardons for family members.
—Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026
That matters because presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state cases.
—Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 26 Feb. 2026
The January 6th hearings didn’t stop the pardons.
—Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2026
The strategy makes sense given that Trump has been dispensing pardons to several high-profile figures convicted of financial crimes, including Binance founder and onetime Bankman-Fried archrival, Changpeng Zhao.
—Leo Schwartz, Fortune, 24 Feb. 2026
Verb
Being the president and all, Richard pardons himself and Jenny.
—Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Feb. 2026
Trump pardons 5 former NFL stars for wide-ranging crimes.
—FOXNews.com, 13 Feb. 2026
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll After years of struggle and transformation, country musician Jelly Roll was pardoned by Tennessee’s governor for his criminal past in the state.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardons
Noun
-
Mass amnesties to mark holidays are not unusual in Myanmar.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Even in its ideal form, the bureaucratic pardon would not possess the political legitimacy to undertake large-scale reform or grant broader amnesties.—
Bernadette Meyler,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
There is no blanket federal program that automatically forgives credit card debt simply because someone is a veteran.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
But that argument ignores the structure of the program.—
Demetrius Atsalis,
Boston Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
-
All pitchers agree that the guy holding the bat generates crucial data that a pitcher ignores at his peril.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
At the multi-level Red Bull Mirage that overlooks the Quasar Stage, Nobu will offer a reservation-only omakase counter.—
Senior Food Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Outside, an infinity pool overlooks the coastline alongside fire features and a professional-grade outdoor kitchen.—
Sandra Barrera,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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