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
The law isn’t perfect, raising several barriers to testing, but still, DNA evidence has featured in 17 of Florida’s 30 death row exonerations.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Although Simon has never been charged with a crime, many of her former cases are under review and more exonerations are expected, attorneys with the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic told CNN.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Dozens of other prosecutors around America quickly followed in establishing conviction review units resulting in hundreds of exonerations.
—John O’Hara, New York Daily News, 21 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
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
The anticipated exonerations could bring a new chapter to a case that has long raised questions about evidence, convictions and justice in Austin.
—Jay Janner, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
In Indiana, eyewitness misidentification was a factor in 22 out of 57 exonerations.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 May 2026
Although Simon has never been charged with a crime, many of her former cases are under review and more exonerations are expected, attorneys with the University of Michigan Innocence Clinic told CNN.
—Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
Dozens of other prosecutors around America quickly followed in establishing conviction review units resulting in hundreds of exonerations.
—John O’Hara, New York Daily News, 21 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
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
The anticipated exonerations could bring a new chapter to a case that has long raised questions about evidence, convictions and justice in Austin.
—Jay Janner, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
In Indiana, eyewitness misidentification was a factor in 22 out of 57 exonerations.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exonerations
Noun
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Trump has issued a number of pardons to people who argued they were unfairly punished by the Biden administration, some of whom have financial or business ties to the president.—
Alison Durkee,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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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
Noun
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Cliff edges, forest clearings, and island horizons; the contemporary properties are designed to dissolve into their surroundings.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
18 May 2026
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But in Oakland, where the homeless population is well over 5,000 by official estimates, some advocates have questioned whether tent clearings create a whack-a-mole problem — given that most homeless residents have nowhere else to go.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But in other court districts where cases are further along, many have been tossed by judges or resulted in acquittals.—
Isabelle Chapman,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
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Six have gone to trial, including five for assault on a federal officer, and all have resulted in acquittals.—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Exonerations.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exonerations. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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