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
NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The pardons also do not preclude charges brought at the state level.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
The actions continue a pattern of Trump granting pardons to political allies and prominent public figures during his second term in office.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
On November 10, 77 people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election, including former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, received presidential pardons.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 10 Nov. 2025
Notably, presidential pardons only apply to federal charges, not state or local charges.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The federal pardons don’t apply to state-level charges.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Several pardons and commutations issued by former President Joe Biden sparked controversy.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
The pantheon of problematic presidential pardons has always cut across partisan lines.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
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 pardons are largely symbolic as none of the names listed were ever charged with federal crimes.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The pardons also do not preclude charges brought at the state level.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 10 Nov. 2025
The actions continue a pattern of Trump granting pardons to political allies and prominent public figures during his second term in office.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
On November 10, 77 people accused of trying to overturn the 2020 election, including former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and former White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, received presidential pardons.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside, 10 Nov. 2025
Notably, presidential pardons only apply to federal charges, not state or local charges.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 10 Nov. 2025
The federal pardons don’t apply to state-level charges.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025
Several pardons and commutations issued by former President Joe Biden sparked controversy.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025
The pantheon of problematic presidential pardons has always cut across partisan lines.
—St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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
Verb
-
Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Still, Alice meets with him and forgives him.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
23 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Even his handling of deportations—another key part of his election platform—has a 52 percent disapproval rating, as Americans grapple with an ICE force that eschews state regulations, ignores due process rights and acts like the president’s personal army.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Any definition that ignores the role of processing is missing the big picture, says Mozaffarian of Tufts University.—
Maria Godoy,
NPR,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
While maintaining a healthy weight plays a role in mitigating cardiovascular and diabetes risk, the measurement alone overlooks the importance of muscle as a predictor of healthy aging and longevity.—
Alexa Mikhail,
Flow Space,
10 Nov. 2025
-
The iconic 12th century Ajloun Castle overlooks rolling hills and olive groves, with dramatic panoramas and drone-friendly views.—
Rafa Sales Ross,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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