Pardon

To forgive or excuse someone for a mistake, offense, or wrongdoing. It implies a formal act of forgiveness or a request for it. It can also refer to the official act by which a government frees a person from punishment for a crime, or a state of grace after doing something wrong. This can be a formal act, such as a legal pardon, or an informal act in daily interactions such as the pardon of an offense.

Pardon meaning with examples

• The judge issued a pardon, freeing the wrongly convicted man after years of imprisonment. His family were overjoyed at the news of his pardon and were preparing to meet him at the prison gates. The public outcry for justice helped the cause and led to the final pardon granted by the governor.
• "Pardon my interruption," she said politely, as she needed to speak with the store manager. The request was a polite way of asking someone to excuse your behavior, or what you have to say. She wanted the manager to pardon her for the intrusion, a matter of urgency.
• The priest offered a pardon to the repentant sinner after their confession. This type of pardon is linked to religious forgiveness. The offering of a pardon is a cornerstone of many religions and often used as part of religious services or ceremonies.
• After the political turmoil, the new government offered a general pardon to all those who had committed minor offenses under the previous regime. The aim was to restore public faith and move the country forward and the pardon was a significant move toward reconciliation.