as in pardons
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense
the president of France traditionally grants amnesty to specially selected prisoners on Bastille Day
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Recent Examples of amnesties
Even in its ideal form, the bureaucratic pardon would not possess the political legitimacy to undertake large-scale reform or grant broader amnesties.
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Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Washington hopes to push a process of national reconciliation, including amnesties for opposition figures, the release of remaining political prisoners and the return of Venezuelans in exile — issues of particular importance to South Florida’s large Venezuelan diaspora.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
At the same time, Washington hopes to push a process of national reconciliation, including amnesties for opposition figures, the release of remaining political prisoners and the return of Venezuelans in exile — issues of particular importance to South Florida’s large Venezuelan diaspora.
—Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amnesties
pardons
Noun
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Years of high-profile controversies — plea deals, pardons and investigations that feel politicized depending on who is involved — have left Americans skeptical that justice is blind.—
Kaitlyn Buss,
Boston Herald,
8 Feb. 2026
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Even for felons, who’ve received a huge number of pardons over the past year.—
Abby McCloskey,
Twin Cities,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Amnesties.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amnesties. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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