an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses, a period during which people can admit to a crime or give up weapons without being punished

tax amnesty, immigration amnesty, general amnesty

Formal and Informal Expressions of amnesty

In different contexts, you can replace 'amnesty' with suitable alternatives. In a more formal setting, 'pardon, reprieve, absolution' is apt. In informal speech or writing, 'get out of jail free card, free pass' is a commonplace synonym.

amnesty: Explore its Definition & Usage

amnesty Definition

1an official pardon for people who have been convicted of political offenses
2a period during which people can admit to a crime or give up weapons without being punished

Using amnesty: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "amnesty" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

Example
The government granted amnesty to all political prisoners.
Example
The rebels were offered amnesty if they surrendered their weapons.
Example
The amnesty program allowed people to return stolen goods without fear of prosecution.

amnesty Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for amnesty

Antonyms for amnesty

prosecution
conviction

Phrases with amnesty

tax amnesty
a limited-time opportunity for taxpayers to pay past-due taxes without penalty
Example
The state government announced a tax amnesty program to encourage delinquent taxpayers to come forward and pay their taxes.
immigration amnesty
a government program that allows undocumented immigrants to apply for legal status
Example
The proposed immigration reform bill includes provisions for an amnesty program for undocumented immigrants who meet certain criteria.
general amnesty
a pardon granted to a large group of people, usually for political offenses
Example
The president declared a general amnesty for all political prisoners in the country.

Origins of amnesty

from Greek 'amnestia', meaning 'forgetfulness'

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Summary: amnesty in Brief

The term 'amnesty' [ˈæmnəsti] refers to an official pardon for political offenses or a period during which people can admit to a crime or give up weapons without punishment. Examples include the government granting amnesty to political prisoners and offering amnesty to rebels who surrender their weapons. Phrases like 'tax amnesty' and 'immigration amnesty' denote limited-time opportunities for taxpayers and undocumented immigrants, respectively, to resolve their legal status without penalty.