forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving

I ask for your forgiveness.

Synonyms

• absolution
• amnesty
• pardon
• remission
• remittal

Examples of forgiveness in a Sentence

She treats us with kindness and forgiveness.

they asked her forgiveness for failing to invite her to the party

Recent Examples on the Web

The way Trump uses the pardon power reduces our conception of justice to capricious acts of forgiveness, not so much bestowed as traded for loyalty, creating unwritten indentureship for the recipients. —Charles Blow, The Mercury News, 5 June 2024

Most scholars have not been thinking about the possibility of forgiveness in these kinds of contexts. —Belinda Luscombe, TIME, 4 June 2024

Asking for forgiveness, rather than permission, is Silicon Valley’s favorite business model—from Uber’s early days entering cities without seeking approval from local officials to the social networking companies’ loose treatment of user data. —Amanda Gerut, Fortune, 31 May 2024

Other great reads: Michael McDonald and Paul Reiser on the importance of forgiveness and the problem with gossip. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving : pardon