rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryamnestyOfficial pardon
noun / verb

amnesty

AM-nuh-stee/ˈæmnəsti/

An official pardon for a group of people, especially for political offenses.

The government grants an amnesty to prisoners held for political offenses.

Amnesty as an official act setting aside offenses for a whole group: an official cancels three matching offender dossiers together while their subjects leave an open detention gate with their restraints removed.
Etymology
aGreeknot, without
+mnestyGreekremembrance

The pieces express ‘not remembering,’ especially forgetting wrongs. In an amnesty, that forgetting becomes an official decision to overlook past offenses for a group of offenders.

In context

Whats ZEE1:11
amnesty critics argue that it might allow people to escape punishment for serious crimes
What is Amnesty? Explained Simply!

More examples

  • The decree amnesties several hundred people.
  • Many exiles returned after being amnestied.
  • The legislature debates whether amnestying the group will promote reconciliation.

Forms

amnesty · amnesties · amnestied · amnestying

Similar words

pardon
Can apply to an individual rather than a general group.
reprieve
Delays punishment rather than canceling the offense or penalty.