exoneration

[ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of clearing someone of blame or of an accusation or criminal charge.

   I would like to highlight the importance of not only the release, but also the exoneration of political prisoners.

2. the act of relieving someone of an obligation or duty.

   The granting of tax exemptions and exonerations is one of the most common types of influence peddling used by corrupt regimes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of exoneration¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin exonerātiōn-, stem of exonerātiō “an unburdening, discharging,” equivalent to exonerāt(us) + -iō -ion ( def. ); exonerate ( def. )

Example Sentences

After facing criticism for recording just four exonerations from 2015 to 2020, the unit has been involved in 12 in just the last four years, according to a district attorney’s office spokesperson.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Deen may be past the point of complete public exoneration, but at least she has integrity to help her sleep at night — no stone over the head required.

Read more on Salon

The spokesperson added: "We stand ready to annihilate Ms Pisciotta's tall tales before a jury − an exoneration so inevitable that even she, lost in her fog of fantasy, must surely see it coming."

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This new script is exemplified by stories of death row inmates who have been freed by revelations of injustice and of others who were executed despite strong cases for exoneration.

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Ultimately, Smith categorically rejected “claims that dismissal of his criminal cases signifies Mr. Trump's ‘complete exoneration.’”

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Related Words

• absolution