forgive

for·give

verb \fər-ˈgiv, fȯr-\

for·gave\-ˈgāv\for·giv·en\-ˈgi-vən\for·giv·ing

Definition of FORGIVE

transitive verb

1

a : to give up resentment of or claim to requital for <forgive an insult>

b : to grant relief from payment of <forgive a debt>

2

: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon <forgive one's enemies>

intransitive verb

: to grant forgiveness

— for·giv·able \-ˈgi-və-bəl\ adjective

— for·giv·ably \-blē\ adverb

— for·giv·er noun

Examples of FORGIVE

1. Can you ever forgive me for being so selfish?
2. I've never forgiven myself for the way I treated her.
3. We must ask God to forgive us for our sins.
4. When he feels he's been insulted, he finds it hard to forgive and forget.
5. He finds it hard to forgive an insult.
6. We must ask God to forgive our sins.
7. The government has agreed to forgive some of the debt.

Origin of FORGIVE

Middle English, from Old English forgifan, from for- + gifan to give

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FORGIVE

Synonyms

pardon

Antonyms

resent

Related Words

absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; remit, shrive; condone, disregard, excuse, ignore, pass over, shrug off; discharge, liberate, redeem, release, unburden

Near Antonyms

abhor, abominate, despise, detest, dislike, execrate, hate, loathe; avenge, redress, requite, retaliate, revenge; discipline, penalize, punish

See Synonym Discussion at excuse

Rhymes with FORGIVE

misgive, outlive, relive, unlive