parole 1 of 2

noun

Definition of parolenext
as in amnesty
permission given to a prisoner to leave prison before the end of a sentence usually as a reward for behaving well The prisoner will be eligible for parole after three years. He was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole.

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parole

2 of 2

verb

as in to bail (out)

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of parole
Noun
Davis, 63, was facing a maximum of life in prison without parole. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 Davis faces life in prison without the possibility of parole. — ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
Verb
Scores of hardened, dangerous criminals are being paroled every year thanks to the Massachusetts Parole Board appointed by liberal Democrat Maura Healey. — Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 14 May 2026 The Supreme Court upheld the reversals, and the three men later pleaded to voluntary manslaughter counts — resulting in them being paroled — under an agreement that required them to admit to being responsible for Tyree’s death in open court. — Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 27 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for parole
Recent Examples of Synonyms for parole
  1. amnesty
  2. rescue
  3. pardon
  4. ransom
Noun
  • Today's Republican party should take a page from their old playbook and support an amnesty program that would bring millions of undocumented immigrants out of the shadows.
    — WCCO Staff, CBS News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Jair Bolsonaro is imprisoned in connection with this case, while his son has pledged to grant him amnesty as his first act in office.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of amnesty
Verb
  • That’s why the researchers say the tool could be useful for rescuing endangered species with a few individuals left—scientists could create fertile breeding pairs using just one male donor.
    — Gennaro Tomma, Scientific American, 13 Oct. 2026
  • This 23-foot-long mock-up was part of the USS Enterprise's basic design and was rescued from demolition some 14 years ago when Schneider purchased it at a 2012 memorabilia auction for $61,000.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • Joe sought a presidential pardon in June 2025, and Gia said in August 2026 that the family had filed a humanitarian packet as part of its efforts to bring him home.
    — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
  • While the conviction will remain part of the historical record, the pardon removes any lasting consequence for him.
    — Tamir Sorek, The Conversation, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Someone had come up with the idea of kidnapping Shergar and holdin' him to ransom.
    — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • Bond is forced up against Blofeld (Telly Savalas), who has a plan to ransom the entire world, threatening the global food supply with biological agents designed to render crops and livestock infertile.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ransom

Browse Nearby Words

parodying
parole
paroled
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Cite this Entry

“Parole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parole. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on parole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parole

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