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
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
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
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
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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Going back further, prediction market analysts have identified a trader who appears to have profited handsomely from having advance knowledge of the pardons former President Biden granted in his final hours in office.—
Bobby Allyn,
NPR,
23 Apr. 2026
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Last month Blanche touted those very pardons at the Conservative Political Action Conference last month.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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The unit made 376 arrests, issued 128 outreach referrals, conducted 76 camp clearings and completed 18 business inspections.—
Nicole Buss,
Sacbee.com,
31 Mar. 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 2 May. 2026.
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