as in forgiveness
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 amnesty
Delcy Rodríguez said Friday that the amnesty would apply to cases from 1999 to the present, but would exclude those prosecuted for homicide, drug trafficking, corruption and human rights violations.
—
Anabella González, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
During congressional debates over whether to pass amnesty legislation, one of the concerns that arose was whether Congress had the authority to do so.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Rather than dealing with these issues, several state governments have chosen appeasement: buying off bandit leaders with stipends, positions, and amnesties.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Petro entered politics in the nineties, after Colombia’s government agreed to an amnesty, and served as a congressman and as the mayor of Bogotá.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for amnesty
Anabella González, CNN Money, 31 Jan. 2026
During congressional debates over whether to pass amnesty legislation, one of the concerns that arose was whether Congress had the authority to do so.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
Rather than dealing with these issues, several state governments have chosen appeasement: buying off bandit leaders with stipends, positions, and amnesties.
—Obi Anyadike, semafor.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Petro entered politics in the nineties, after Colombia’s government agreed to an amnesty, and served as a congressman and as the mayor of Bogotá.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for amnesty
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amnesty
Noun
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Steven McDonald, a fallen hero of the department who channeled the agony of three devastating gunshot wounds into an enduring message of peace and forgiveness.—
Barry Williams,
New York Daily News,
10 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Meanwhile, the richest among us shower him with cash, planes, gold and cryptocurrency to curry pardons for their criminal activities and policies favorable for their businesses.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Feb. 2026
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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
Cite this Entry
“Amnesty.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amnesty. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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