PoliticsAugust 28, 2026

pardoning

PAR-dun-ing

Definition

The act of formally forgiving an offense or releasing a person from the legal penalties of a crime, often granted by a government official like a president.

Etymology

The word originates from the Old French 'pardoner,' meaning to forgive, which traces back to the Medieval Latin 'perdonare,' meaning to grant or bestow.

In the news

In the article, the word refers to Trump using his executive power to clear political allies of fraud convictions, which the author argues worsens financial crime by erasing debts owed to victims.

Testimony: Trump’s corruption harms Americans

Read the full article ↗

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington

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