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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of pardons
Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic, 6 Jan. 2026
But pardons aren't one of them.
—ABC News, 4 Jan. 2026
Also, a permanent ban on assault weapons and presidential pardons.
—Chicago Tribune, 2 Jan. 2026
These sweeping pardons included commuting the death sentences of 37 federal inmates.
—Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump celebrates, excuses, and pardons.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Jan. 2026
My thought is that the answer is quite simple — with this administration, everything is for sale, just like pardons.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 1 Jan. 2026
The pardons are largely symbolic as none of the names listed were ever charged with federal crimes.
—NPR, 11 Nov. 2025
The actions continue a pattern of Trump granting pardons to political allies and prominent public figures during his second term in office.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
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
Of the 1,500 or so offenders who received pardons, roughly 600 had been charged with assaulting or obstructing police officers, and 170 had been accused of using deadly weapons in the siege.
—Verb
May 29 — In one of many conciliatory moves toward the hip-hop community, Trump pardons Young Boy NBA on a guns conviction.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardons
Verb
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The bottom line There is no federal program that directly forgives or restructures credit card debt, but that doesn't mean borrowers are stuck.—
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Sinnott forgives his parents, and parents today who waver on vaccination.—
Verb
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In episode six, Max and Holly find the memory that Henry has been hiding from, and while Max kind of ignores it, Holly hangs back and watches how Henry is affected by having killed that man.—
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That demand ignores long-standing practice, misunderstands the Bears’ legal obligations and risks undermining one of Illinois’ most important economic assets.—
Verb
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Moses Storm, one such former follower who is featured in the docuseries, says that media coverage often overlooks a crucial element.—
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The view from behind the wheel is impressive, where the driver sees finger-thin A-pillars at either side of the broad windshield that overlooks two iconic fenders, a comically short dash, five true analog gauges, and little else.—
Cite this Entry
“Pardons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardons. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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