as in amnesties
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense
the criminal is hoping for a presidential pardon
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in forgives
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward
he eventually pardoned his sister after she apologized
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ignores
to dismiss as of little importance
I'm willing to pardon a little sloppiness of dress in such a kind and loving person
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pardons
Kaitlyn Buss, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Even for felons, who’ve received a huge number of pardons over the past year.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
In Hinduism, the deity Ganga is an eminent mother figure who purifies, pardons, and provides moksha, the ultimate eternal bliss.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Two cooperating witnesses in the federal case against Vázquez did not receive pardons.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
But Hoover still is in custody on state charges, where presidential pardons don't apply.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump issued blanket pardons to all of them.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Outrage at presidential pardons may be one of our few remaining bipartisan sentiments.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The White House doesn’t comment on potential clemency requests, but the president is the ultimate decider on pardons and commutations.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll After years of struggle and transformation, country musician Jelly Roll was pardoned by Tennessee’s governor for his criminal past in the state.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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
Even for felons, who’ve received a huge number of pardons over the past year.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2026
In Hinduism, the deity Ganga is an eminent mother figure who purifies, pardons, and provides moksha, the ultimate eternal bliss.
—Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026
Two cooperating witnesses in the federal case against Vázquez did not receive pardons.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
But Hoover still is in custody on state charges, where presidential pardons don't apply.
—Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026
Trump issued blanket pardons to all of them.
—Bill Barrow, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2026
Outrage at presidential pardons may be one of our few remaining bipartisan sentiments.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
The White House doesn’t comment on potential clemency requests, but the president is the ultimate decider on pardons and commutations.
—Jacqueline Munis, Fortune, 23 Jan. 2026
Verb
These changes would ensure a more merciful society, one that pardons in the name not of a sovereign president, but of the people.
—Bernadette Meyler, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 31 Dec. 2025
Tennessee governor pardons country star Jelly Roll After years of struggle and transformation, country musician Jelly Roll was pardoned by Tennessee’s governor for his criminal past in the state.
—Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao.
—Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2025
Trump pardons couple in 2025 Julie, 52, was sentenced to seven years at the Federal Medical Center in Lexington, though that sentence was eventually reduced.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 28 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardons
Noun
-
Even in its ideal form, the bureaucratic pardon would not possess the political legitimacy to undertake large-scale reform or grant broader amnesties.—
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
Verb
-
The bottom line There is no federal program that directly forgives or restructures credit card debt, but that doesn't mean borrowers are stuck.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
8 Dec. 2025
-
Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Arthur Allen,
Miami Herald,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Importantly, the survey also points to a potential de-escalator that Carlson ignores.—
Robert Pape,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
If someone ignores your text, try asking a follow-up question (or calling them, because tone may travel poorly over screens).—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
There is plenty more to discover in Saadiyat, where the 295-room Jumeirah Saadiyat Island, which overlooks the Gulf, makes for a sumptuous home base.—
John Arlidge,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The focus on treatment over vaccination also overlooks the fact that no measles infection is risk-free.—
Elizabeth Yuko,
Rolling Stone,
7 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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