Amnesty
/ˈæmnɪsti/
nounIntermediateCommonLegal
Meaning
Question
Definitions
1
An official pardon granted, especially to a large number of people, for past offenses.
/ˈæmnɪsti/
nounneutralIntermediate
Legal
A general pardon for offenses
The king declared a general amnesty.
💡 Simply: Forgiveness for past crimes.
More Examples
2
The rebels were offered amnesty if they surrendered.
How It's Used
Political
"The government granted an amnesty to political prisoners."
Legal
"An amnesty was declared for tax evaders."
From Middle French amnistie, from Late Latin amnestia, from Greek amnēstia 'forgetfulness', from amnēstos 'forgotten'.
Amnesty has been used throughout history to resolve conflicts and promote reconciliation, often following periods of war or political upheaval.
Memory tip
Think 'amnesty' as forgetting past mistakes.
Practice
amnestyyamnestiamneasty
Usage
10%Spoken
90%Written