exonerations
Formal declarations innocent
Exonerations are official clearings of blame or accusation.
The word applies especially to legal contexts where someone previously convicted is declared innocent: DNA evidence has led to hundreds of exonerations.
More broadly, an exoneration releases someone from responsibility or obligation: The report was a complete exoneration of the committee's actions.
Formal clearing of charges
- verdictOfficial court decision
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- not guiltyCleared of charges
- dismissalRemoval from position
cleared · charges dropped · court · trial · judge · defense attorney · prosecutor · evidence
Treeless space in forest
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- restorationReturning something to condition
- exculpationClearing from fault
justification · validation · absolution · public apology · compensation · reparations · truth revealed · rectification
To let go
- liberationRelease from constraint
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
- unchainingRemoving restraining links
emancipation · pardon · amnesty · reprieve · freedom · reentry · time served · homecoming
Relieving oneself of weight
- solaceRelief from distress
- comfortEase or soothing relief
- respiteShort pause from hardship
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
closure · tears of joy · embrace · celebration · family reunion · emotional release · healing · recovery
acquittal
Formal clearing of charges
- verdictOfficial court decision
- innocentFree from moral wrong
- not guiltyCleared of charges
dismissal · cleared · charges dropped · court · trial · judge · defense attorney · prosecutor · evidence · testimony
clearing
Treeless space in forest
- redemptionRecovery or moral restoration
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- restorationReturning something to condition
exculpation · justification · validation · absolution · public apology · compensation · reparations · truth revealed · rectification · restitution
release
To let go
- liberationRelease from constraint
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
- deliveranceRescue from bondage
unchaining · emancipation · pardon · amnesty · reprieve · freedom · reentry · time served · homecoming · reunification
unburdening
Relieving oneself of weight
peace · closure · tears of joy · embrace · celebration · family reunion · emotional release · healing · recovery · gratitude
- Salem witchcraftSalem witch trials, Salem, witch trials, accused witches, spectral evidence
exonerationsconvictions
Strongly held beliefs
guilty verdicts · condemnations · incarcerations · sentences · indictments
exonerationsincriminations
Charges suggesting guilt
condemnations · accusations · blame · imputations · censures
- DNA exonerationFreedom through genetic proof