exoneration

American  

[ig-zon-uh-rey-shuhn] / ɪgˌzɒn əˈreɪ ʃən /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of exoneration

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

A mistake or exoneration may get documented, but those reports never completely go away.

From Los Angeles Times

But the sheer number of Spacey’s accusers suggests that his acquittal was hardly an exoneration.

From Salon

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.

From 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.

From 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."

From BBC

Related Words

• absolution