as in pardons
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 exonerations
In Indiana, eyewitness misidentification was a factor in 22 out of 57 exonerations.
—
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
For the better part of a decade, Illinois led the nation in annual exonerations until it was surpassed by Texas in 2024, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, a project jointly operated by the University of California at Irvine, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan, exonerations nationwide have been steadily rising, from 24 in 1989 to 147 in 2024.
—Mark Guarino, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
After enduring a media firestorm, multiple convictions and exonerations, countless interviews and publishing memoirs, Knox is once again sharing her story in Hulu’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
False confessions were found in 13% of exonerations.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
For the better part of a decade, Illinois led the nation in annual exonerations until it was surpassed by Texas in 2024, according to the National Registry of Exonerations.
—Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
According to the National Registry of Exonerations, a project jointly operated by the University of California at Irvine, Michigan State University, and the University of Michigan, exonerations nationwide have been steadily rising, from 24 in 1989 to 147 in 2024.
—Mark Guarino, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2025
After enduring a media firestorm, multiple convictions and exonerations, countless interviews and publishing memoirs, Knox is once again sharing her story in Hulu’s The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025
False confessions were found in 13% of exonerations.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exonerations
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
Noun
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Between February 2025 and last week, San Jose conducted more than 2,000 encampment clearings citywide, according to Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services spokesperson Amanda Rodriguez.—
Grant Stringer,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Data is also collected from the El Cajon Homeless Task Force, as well as from park staff as clearings are completed.—
Hannah Elsmore,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Essayli’s prosecutors have seen four additional cases involving allegations of assault on a federal officer end in acquittals, a nearly unheard of losing streak.—
James Queally,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
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The acquittals also offer insights into the upcoming trial of former Uvalde schools police chief Pete Arredondo on charges of child abandonment.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exonerations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exonerations. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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