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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

parole

2 of 2

verb

as in to bail (out)

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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
Prosecutors said Navarrete faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 19 Oct. 2026 Those who violated Connecticut election laws must complete their probation and parole to regain their eligibility to vote. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 18 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
  • The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is suing an animal rescue organization that was once a favorite among Hollywood celebrities, alleging that its owner purchased dogs from puppy mills and portrayed them to adopters as animals that were rescued.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • As voters decide which party can best rescue their chance at the American Dream, political experts say prolonged economic hardship is the defining feature influencing voters in the midterms.
    — Amy L. Wong, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of rescue
Noun
  • Ford placed the inmate’s bid for clemency on the agenda of the state pardons board — an example, Lombardo claims, of the way Ford treats criminals.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Punian was granted a pardon in recognition of his rehabilitation and military service.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Following a surrender, Indians pulled militia men from the retreating lines, killing some on the spot and taking others prisoner, to be ransomed in Montreal.
    — James Whorton Jr, Longreads, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Someone had come up with the idea of kidnapping Shergar and holdin' him to ransom.
    — Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of ransom

Browse Nearby Words

parodying
parole
paroled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Parole.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/parole. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on parole

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about parole

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All