Pardoning: meaning, definitions and examples

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pardoning

[ˈpɑːd(ə)nɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

legal

The action of forgiving or being forgiven for an error, offense, or sin.

Synonyms

absolution, amnesty, forgiveness.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pardoning	Used in legal or official contexts when someone with authority (like a governor or president) forgives someone for a wrong or criminal act. The governor announced the pardoning of several prisoners on Christmas Eve. The president issued a pardoning for the war criminal, much to the dismay of the public.
forgiveness	Used in everyday, personal contexts to describe the act of forgiving someone for a personal wrong or hurt. She sought forgiveness from her friend after their argument. He found it hard to ask for forgiveness after what he did.
amnesty	Used in legal and political contexts to describe a pardon extended by the government to a group of people, often for political crimes. The government declared an amnesty for all political prisoners. The new administration offered an amnesty to those who surrendered illegal weapons.
absolution	Used primarily in religious contexts to denote the formal forgiveness of sins by a priest or religious authority. The priest granted absolution to the repentant sinner. After confession, she felt a sense of relief due to the absolution she received.

Examples of usage

He is seeking a pardon for his past crimes.
The president granted a pardon to the prisoner.
The act of pardoning is seen as an act of mercy.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

legal

Granting forgiveness or absolution to someone for an error, offense, or sin.

Synonyms

acquit, excuse, forgive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
pardoning	Typically used in legal or official contexts when an authority figure (like a president) forgives someone for their crime, often after conviction. The president is considering pardoning the convicted spy
forgive	Commonly used in personal or emotional contexts when someone decides to let go of anger or resentment towards someone else's mistake or wrongdoing. She decided to forgive him for forgetting their anniversary
excuse	Generally used in everyday situations to provide reasons for someone's behavior or to ask for permission to leave. Can also imply a minor wrongdoing. Please excuse my lateness; the traffic was terrible
acquit	Used in legal settings to declare someone not guilty of a crime, usually after a trial. The jury decided to acquit the defendant due to lack of evidence

Examples of usage

The judge decided to pardon the defendant.
She pardoned him for his mistake.
If you pardon someone, you release them from the punishment or consequences of a wrongdoing.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

The word 'pardon' comes from the Old French 'pardoner', meaning to allow or let go.
In medieval times, pardoning was often granted by kings or rulers to show mercy and avoid punishment.
The concept of pardoning has roots in many cultures, emphasizing forgiveness in legal and social contexts.

Legal Context

In many legal systems, pardons are granted by heads of state, allowing convicted individuals to avoid further punishment.
Pardoning can restore rights taken away due to convictions, like voting or holding public office.
Famous cases of pardoning in history include presidents granting mercy to political prisoners or those who displayed good behavior.

Psychological Aspects

Psychologists believe that forgiving others can lead to lower stress levels and better mental health.
Pardoning someone often involves a mental shift, moving from anger to understanding their situation.
Holding onto grudges can negatively affect overall well-being, while forgiveness can promote peace.

Religious Views

Many religions advocate for the practice of pardoning, seeing it as a path to spiritual growth and compassion.
In Christianity, mercy and forgiveness are fundamental teachings, often represented through parables and teachings of Jesus.
Islam emphasizes forgiveness as a virtue, encouraging followers to pardon others to receive God's mercy.

Pop Culture

Films often depict characters requesting pardons as a way to symbolize redemption or a fresh start.
Songs about forgiveness frequently highlight themes of pardoning, showcasing personal struggles and reconciliations.
Public figures and celebrities sometimes seek pardoning to regain their reputations after serving penalties for their actions.

Translations

Translations of the word "pardoning" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perdão

🇮🇳 क्षमा

🇩🇪 Begnadigung

🇮🇩 pengampunan

🇺🇦 прощення

🇵🇱 ułaskawienie

🇯🇵 赦免 (shamen)

🇫🇷 pardon

🇪🇸 indulto

🇹🇷 bağışlama

🇰🇷 사면 (samyeon)

🇸🇦 عفو (afw)

🇨🇿 omilostnění

🇸🇰 omilostenie

🇨🇳 赦免 (shèmiǎn)

🇸🇮 pomilostitev

🇮🇸 fyrirgefning

🇰🇿 кешіру

🇬🇪 შეწყალება (shec'q'aleba)

🇦🇿 əfv

🇲🇽 indulto

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,378, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

...
27375 pirated
27376 supped
27377 alleyway
27378 pardoning
27379 miscarried
27380 subverting
27381 flaunting
...