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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pardons
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
Going back further, prediction market analysts have identified a trader who appears to have profited handsomely from having advance knowledge of the pardons former President Biden granted in his final hours in office.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Last month Blanche touted those very pardons at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
But presidential pardons apply only to federal offenses — which none of the allies faced.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2026
Stories about pardons are often told as stories about presidential power — who got mercy, who had access, who persuaded a president to intervene.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 Apr. 2026
For some in South Korea, the long history of chaebol corruption and their pardons are a sign that the chaebol families wield too much power and can’t be held accountable.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 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
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
Going back further, prediction market analysts have identified a trader who appears to have profited handsomely from having advance knowledge of the pardons former President Biden granted in his final hours in office.
—Bobby Allyn, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Last month Blanche touted those very pardons at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 23 Apr. 2026
But presidential pardons apply only to federal offenses — which none of the allies faced.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 22 Apr. 2026
Stories about pardons are often told as stories about presidential power — who got mercy, who had access, who persuaded a president to intervene.
—Jeremy Kohler, ProPublica, 20 Apr. 2026
For some in South Korea, the long history of chaebol corruption and their pardons are a sign that the chaebol families wield too much power and can’t be held accountable.
—Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 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
-
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
-
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
Verb
-
There is an attitude among many in the legislature that children under five belong at home with mom, which ignores the economic reality facing Idaho families.—
Nicole Blanchard,
Idaho Statesman,
8 May 2026
-
Far too often, housing analysis ignores job creation.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
The oceanfront pool gets busy by day, and the motel is best known for Lemon Bar, which overlooks the pool and beach and is a favorite among locals.—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
9 May 2026
-
The window next to my desk overlooks the gym’s large communal exercise room, and throughout the day, I am taunted by the sight of gyrating bodies panting through a Zumba class or a kettlebell set.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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