exculpation vs pardon

exculpation and pardon both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
exculpation	Yes	No	No	No
pardon	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, pardon is a hypernym of exculpation; that is, pardon is a word with a broader meaning than exculpation:

Other hypernyms of exculpation include forgiveness.

exculpation (noun)	pardon (noun)
the act of freeing from guilt or blame	the act of excusing a mistake or offense
a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.	the formal act of liberating someone
	a warrant granting release from punishment for an offense

exculpation (verb)	pardon (verb)
	grant a pardon to
	accept an excuse for