condone

verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn How to pronounce condone (audio)
condoned; condoning

transitive verb

: to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
a government accused of condoning racism
condone corruption in politics
condonable adjective
condoner noun

Did you know?

Since some folks don't condone even minor usage slips, you might want to get the meaning of this word straight. Although English speakers sometimes use condone with the intended meaning "approve of" or "encourage," the more established meaning is closer to "pardon" or "overlook." Condone comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." Condonare in turn combines the Latin prefix con-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give" or "to grant." Not surprisingly, donare is also the source of our words donate and pardon.

Choose the Right Synonym for condone

excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress.

excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these.

excuse an interruption
excused them for interrupting

Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

injustice excuses strong responses

condone implies that one overlooks without censure behavior (such as dishonesty or violence) that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or to the agent responsible for it.

a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics

pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

Examples of condone in a Sentence

"I don't condone violence, and I think 'gangsta rap' should be outlawed," says [designer Tommy] Hilfiger … Joshua Levine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 1997
Without waiting for Momma's thanks, he rode out of the yard, sure that things were as they should be and that he was a gentle squire, saving those deserving serfs from the laws of the land, which he condoned. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
And then she told him all—told him the truth word by word, without attempting to shield herself or condone her error. Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, 1912
a government that has been accused of condoning racism he is too quick to condone his friend's faults
Recent Examples on the Web The play calls attention to the dangerous reality of right-wing terrorist groups expanding their ranks as once-fringe elements of our society are condoned by irresponsible political leaders, whose partisanship has undermined their fidelity to truth, democracy and the rule of law. Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 The team did not and will never condone this sort of behavior. Matias Grez, CNN, 27 Feb. 2024 The code appears to condone Justices’ close associations with the Federalist Society, which have raised concerns because of the organization’s centrality to the conservative legal movement and its powerful influence on judicial appointments. Jeannie Suk Gersen, The New Yorker, 21 Nov. 2023 The formula isn’t technically vegan or cruelty-free, although L’Oréal does not condone or perform animal testing. Sophie Dodd, Peoplemag, 14 Jan. 2024 This week, Jewish students across the country are returning to campuses that have condoned antisemitism. Sentinel Staff, Orlando Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 Though most Republicans don't condone the actions of those who forced their way into the Capitol, the strength of their disapproval has waned over time. Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2024 The left’s violence, which Mr. Negri neither condemned nor condoned, continued in response. Clay Risen, New York Times, 22 Dec. 2023 Without condoning rude or even abusive language, listen for the core of the homeowner’s concern. Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin condonare to absolve, from com- + donare to give — more at donation

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of condone was in 1805

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Dictionary Entries Near condone

Cite this Entry

“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

condone

verb
con·​done kən-ˈdōn How to pronounce condone (audio)
condoned; condoning
: to regard or treat (something bad) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
condones his friend's faults
condonation
ˌkän-də-ˈnā-shən
-dō-
noun
condoner
kən-ˈdō-nər
noun

Legal Definition

condone

transitive verb
con·​done kən-ˈdōn How to pronounce condone (audio)
condoned; condoning
: to pardon or overlook voluntarily
Etymology

Latin condonare to give away, absolve

More from Merriam-Webster on condone

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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