pardon

¹par·don

noun \ˈpär-d^ən\

Definition of PARDON

1

: indulgence 1

2

: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty

3

a : a release from the legal penalties of an offense

b : an official warrant of remission of penalty

4

: excuse or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy <I beg your pardon>

Examples of PARDON

1. The governor granted him a pardon.
2. He asked my pardon for taking so much of my time.

Origin of PARDON

Middle English, from Anglo-French pardun, pardoun, from parduner

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to PARDON

Synonyms

absolution, amnesty, forgiveness, remission, remittal

Antonyms

penalty, punishment, retribution

Related Words

parole; acquittal, exculpation, exoneration, vindication; condonation; exemption, immunity, impunity, indemnity; commutation, commuting, reprieve; clemency, leniency, mercy

Near Antonyms

conviction, sentence; assessment, charge, fine, imposition, levying; castigation, chastening, chastisement, condemnation

Rhymes with PARDON

Arden, Dardan, garden, harden

²pardon

transitive verb

par·donedpar·don·ing \ˈpärd-niŋ, ˈpär-d^ən-iŋ\

Definition of PARDON

1

a : to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime

b : to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive

c : to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed

2

: tolerate

Examples of PARDON

1. <he eventually pardoned his sister for interfering in his marriage>
2. <I'm willing to pardon a little sloppiness of dress in such a kind and loving person.>

Origin of PARDON

Middle English, from Anglo-French parduner, from Late Latin perdonare to grant freely, from Latin per- thoroughly + donare to give — more at parboil, donation

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PARDON

Synonyms

forgive

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

Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, chattel, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with PARDON

garden

pardon

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In law, release from guilt or remission of punishment. The power to pardon is generally exercised by the state's chief executive officer. A pardon may be full or conditional. A conditional pardon imposes a lesser punishment or some other obligation. Some states still bar pardoned offenders from holding public office or obtaining professional licenses.