forgive

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forgive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forgive are condone, excuse, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When is condone a more appropriate choice than forgive?

The words condone and forgive can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When might excuse be a better fit than forgive?

In some situations, the words excuse and forgive are roughly equivalent. However, excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

excuse an interruption
excused them for interrupting
injustice excuses strong responses

When could pardon be used to replace forgive?

While the synonyms pardon and forgive are close in meaning, pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

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 forgive Tottenham fans could be forgiven for growing bored of Cristian Romero transfer speculation. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 2 July 2025 When Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill married in 2003, you might be forgiven for thinking that a song, an album or a show might follow. Peter Larsen, Oc Register, 2 July 2025 The abused partner may then feel hopeful and so agree to forgive their abuser. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 July 2025 They could be forgiven their confusion or wanting to wait for calmer seas before setting about their plans. Ginny Whitelaw, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for forgive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive
Verb
  • Mayor Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat, is running as an independent, after Trump pardoned him for federal bribery charges.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • His father — real-estate developer, slumlord, and pardoned felon Charles Kushner — was recently confirmed as ambassador to France.
    Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Remember, ignoring these signals can lead to heat exhaustion or life-threatening heat stroke.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • But Eufy is way more similar to my former dogs Biff and Frank, who generally ignored me and went about their own business.
    David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • From simply meeting expectations to overlooking key relationships, minor missteps can quietly stall your career growth.
    Alyshia Hull, USA Today, 1 July 2025
  • The rooftop bar and restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy light bites and cocktails during warmer months overlooking views of the city.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • This sterile male technique, previously explained to Newsweek by Texas A&M Professor Phillip Kaufman, works because female screwworm flies mate only once—flooding areas with sterile males prevents successful reproduction.
    Adeola Adeosun, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • This uptick helps explain why monthly sales of the pouches more than tripled between 2021 and 2024, even as usage in adults remains low—under 3% report ever popping one in, though that number is higher among folks who currently smoke (11%) or once did (7%).
    Erica Sloan, SELF, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • None of that, however, excuses the silly and juvenile behavior of the Assembly’s majority Democrats last week when the chamber took up a resolution commemorating Pride month.
    Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 3 July 2025
  • Students who cannot get to school and have bus stops are on a list provided by district officials can get absences excused Thursday and Friday.
    Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Verb
  • If the Tripadvisor business was the company’s only segment, this valuation could be justified.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025
  • What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forgive

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