commutation
noun
com·mu·ta·tion
ˌkäm-yə-ˈtā-shən 
-yü-
2
: replacement
specifically
: a substitution of one form of payment or charge for another
a commutation by money payment for the exacted service
3
: a change of a legal penalty or punishment to a lesser one
commutation of a death sentence
4
: an act or process of commuting
… a ridge of hills makes daily commutation to San Francisco arduous.—
The New York Times
The New York Times5
: the action of commutating
Examples of commutation in a Sentence
He appealed for a commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment.
an international commutation of food for oil
Recent Examples on the Web
The Tribune has reviewed the names of people who have received pardons or commutations going back to the 1950s.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
In this case, the penalties will be reduced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or further commutation after the reprieve period ends.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Parson announced the commutation in the twilight of his term on the Friday afternoon before the Christmas holiday week in 2024.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Trump previously gave these members of extremist groups commutations instead of full pardons.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commutation
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Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2026
In this case, the penalties will be reduced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole or further commutation after the reprieve period ends.
—Emma Bussey, FOXNews.com, 11 May 2026
Parson announced the commutation in the twilight of his term on the Friday afternoon before the Christmas holiday week in 2024.
—Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Apr. 2026
Trump previously gave these members of extremist groups commutations instead of full pardons.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for commutation
Cite this Entry
“Commutation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commutation. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
commutation
noun
com·mu·ta·tion
ˌkäm-yə-ˈtā-shən
2
: a reduction of a legal penalty
3
: an act of commuting
4
: the process of reversing the direction of an electric circuit
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