as in pardon
a setting free from a charge of wrongdoing
the accused refused a plea bargain, asserting that he was innocent and would settle for nothing less than complete exoneration
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Recent Examples of exoneration
The exoneration comes 15 years after he was released from prison.
—
Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Florida has the highest number of death row exonerations in the nation, with 30.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Tribune found Chicago’s final costs to resolve claims in murder exonerations since 2010 averaged nearly $560,000 for each year the person was wrongfully imprisoned — and nearly $100,000 of that amount went to pay private lawyers.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
As a trial judge, he was known for emphasizing rehabilitation and alternative sentencing and presided over proceedings that led to the posthumous exoneration of Tim Cole.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Mejia was not released at the conclusion of the exoneration hearing because of an immigration hold stemming from her conviction.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
District Attorney José Garza, who had pursued the exonerations with his Conviction Integrity Unit, apologized to the men and their families after the hearing.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Jennifer Bisram, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
Florida has the highest number of death row exonerations in the nation, with 30.
—Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
The Tribune found Chicago’s final costs to resolve claims in murder exonerations since 2010 averaged nearly $560,000 for each year the person was wrongfully imprisoned — and nearly $100,000 of that amount went to pay private lawyers.
—Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2026
As a trial judge, he was known for emphasizing rehabilitation and alternative sentencing and presided over proceedings that led to the posthumous exoneration of Tim Cole.
—Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 18 Mar. 2026
The country had yet to hold the first Marcos to account for plunder and human-rights abuses, and this election seemed an exoneration of both his and Rodrigo Duterte’s sins.
—Sheila Coronel, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2026
Mejia was not released at the conclusion of the exoneration hearing because of an immigration hold stemming from her conviction.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026
District Attorney José Garza, who had pursued the exonerations with his Conviction Integrity Unit, apologized to the men and their families after the hearing.
—Claire Lempert, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exoneration
Noun
-
The president later granted Stone a full pardon.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As governor, Moore himself issued a mass pardon for misdemeanor drug convictions.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Honorable mention in the forgiveness category went to Judge Kathleen Coffey, founder of the Homeless Court at Boston’s Pine Street Inn.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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To be eligible, you must have been employed with an eligible company during the SAVE plan pause and be close enough to forgiveness that making those payments would get you to 10 years, which is 120 months.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Rain is expected to taper off by Saturday afternoon, with gradual clearing into the evening.—
April 3,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Kempe knocked down Nicolas Hague’s feeble clearing attempt, which was picked off by Artemi Panarin.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In this case, it is alleged that these defendants thought the road to acquittal was the elimination of a witness.—
Joseph Buczek,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The judge found the evidence insufficient to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, resulting in acquittal on all counts.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The current war has vindicated their investments in renewable energy – though the vindication has limits.—
Ezgi Canpolat,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2026
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His remarks might serve as vindication to the Americans feeling the squeeze from the data center boom.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
19 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exoneration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exoneration. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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