Synonyms of pardons

pardons 1 of 2

noun

plural of pardon

as in amnesties

release from the guilt or penalty of an offense

the criminal is hoping for a presidential pardon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• amnesties
• immunities
• remissions
• absolutions
• paroles
• exemptions
• acquittals
• remittals
• commutations
• exonerations
• clemencies
• vindications
• indemnities
• mercies
• reprieves
• impunities
• leniencies
• exculpations
• condonations

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• penalties
• punishments
• sentences
• convictions
• charges
• retributions
• fines
• assessments
• impositions
• condemnations
• chastisements
• castigations

pardons

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of pardon

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

• forgives
• ignores
• releases
• acquits
• exonerates
• discharges
• absolves
• exculpates
• liberates
• remits
• vindicates
• excuses
• disregards
• passes over
• condones
• shrugs off
• shrives
• redeems
• clears
• unburdens

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resents
• hates
• despises
• dislikes
• abhors
• detests
• loathes
• punishes
• redresses
• avenges
• penalizes
• abominates
• revenges
• disciplines
• execrates
• retaliates
• requites

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

• forgives
• ignores
• overlooks
• justifies
• excuses
• explains
• discounts
• disregards
• remits
• whitewashes
• condones
• passes over
• papers over
• brushes (aside or off)
• shrugs off
• glosses (over)
• blinks (at)
• forgives and forgets
• winks (at)
• overpasses
• exonerates
• glozes (over)
• exculpates
• acquits
• rationalizes
• absolves
• closes one's eyes to
• waives
• vindicates
• waves (aside or off)
• clears

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• notes
• minds
• marks
• objects (to)
• heeds

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pardons

Noun

The president has also drawn scrutiny for issuing pardons to people who have publicly supported him or have business ties to him, but his pardon power is separate from the DOJ. — Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026

The order granted full pardons to most people convicted of offenses related to the Capitol attack and directed the Justice Department to seek dismissal of pending cases. — Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

The candidates have been clashing over the personal history of DeBarros, who served 19 years in prison for a shooting in Waterbury at the age of 18 in 1996 before he was later pardoned by the state’s board of pardons and paroles. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Aug. 2026

And under the state constitution, only the governor has the power to issue pardons. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 6 Aug. 2026

The Department of Justice in April acted to vacate the convictions of Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and others in the seditious conspiracy case who had their sentences commuted but did not receive pardons. — ABC News, 5 Aug. 2026

Jimmy Kimmel's hunch helps with final question The last question posed the biggest challenge for Ding, but thankfully Kimmel had an inkling about turkeys that hadn’t received presidential pardons. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Trump commuted their prison sentences, but they were not covered by the president’s mass pardons. — Michael Kunzelman, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2026

Not to mention a conga line of billionaire tech, real-estate, and finance plutocrats paying feasance to a faux populist in exchange for contracts, pardons, and sundry favors. — Graydon Carter, Air Mail, 4 July 2026

Verb

After losing his reelection bid to Bill Clinton in 1992, Bush issued Christmas Eve pardons to six Reagan administration officials convicted of or facing trials for crimes related to Iran-Contra. — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Aug. 2026

Trump pardons ex-Republican congressman. — Jay Stahl, USA Today, 7 June 2026

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