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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pardons
Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Senegal supporters who were detained in Morocco in the wake of the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in January have been released after receiving royal pardons.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Trump has issued a number of pardons to people who argued they were unfairly punished by the Biden administration, some of whom have financial or business ties to the president.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Not all of the pardons went to members of the GOP.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 13 May 2026
There is no accountability for the weaponization of the Justice Department or the issuance of pardons to Trump’s friends and contributors from a Republican party that once held law and order as a sacred value.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
During the nearly 25-minute interview, Obama also discussed presidential pardons.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 May 2026
McCrory also floated the possibility of Henry starting a new program at Blue Hills to help people obtain judicial pardons.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Last month Blanche touted those very pardons at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
The Tribune has reviewed the names of people who have received pardons or commutations going back to the 1950s.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Senegal supporters who were detained in Morocco in the wake of the chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in January have been released after receiving royal pardons.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 25 May 2026
Trump has issued a number of pardons to people who argued they were unfairly punished by the Biden administration, some of whom have financial or business ties to the president.
—Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026
Not all of the pardons went to members of the GOP.
—Ryan Lucas, NPR, 13 May 2026
There is no accountability for the weaponization of the Justice Department or the issuance of pardons to Trump’s friends and contributors from a Republican party that once held law and order as a sacred value.
—Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2026
During the nearly 25-minute interview, Obama also discussed presidential pardons.
—Caroline Linton, CBS News, 6 May 2026
McCrory also floated the possibility of Henry starting a new program at Blue Hills to help people obtain judicial pardons.
—Andrew Brown, Hartford Courant, 27 Apr. 2026
Last month Blanche touted those very pardons at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
President Kennedy pardons his predecessor, Nixon, for his involvement in the Watergate scandal.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
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
-
The amnesties come after Senior General Min Aung Hlaing was sworn into office as president on April 10 following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was orchestrated to maintain the military’s tight grip on power.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Actions including the amnesties and Suu Kyi’s transfer are widely seen as an effort to burnish his image.—
Grant Peck,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Hannah, who sees his true good nature, forgives him.—
Kenneal Patterson,
Vanity Fair,
22 May 2026
-
While The Pitt forgives and empathizes with Robby’s flaws, Robby is not called on to extend that empathy to others.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Yet the assumption that more demand automatically equals grid failure ignores how energy systems respond to new demand.—
Anna Broughel,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
All Saints allows and ignores a culture of bullying, the lawsuit alleges.—
Emerson Clarridge,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Go for sunset drinks at Buffalo Bar; the outdoor deck overlooks a watering hole and Zambezi National Park.—
Lydia Mansel,
Travel + Leisure,
30 May 2026
-
This loft is located in Bywater with nearby streetcar access, and the back porch overlooks a lush flower garden.—
Erika Owen,
Architectural Digest,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 3 Jun. 2026.
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