can be forgiven
idiom
—used to say that what a person does or feels is understandable or that a person should not be blamed for doing or feeling something
He can be forgiven for feeling this way after all he's been through.
Examples of can be forgiven in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Though Melanie was no doubt left feeling guilty at making the mistake, she can be forgiven for being a little absent-minded, given that she in the throes of being a new parent.
—
Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The bottom line Medical debt doesn't vanish on its own, but there are scenarios where it can be forgiven, canceled or rendered legally uncollectible.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
So when an alumnus of RuPaul’s Drag Race makes a foray into the world of recorded music, you can be forgiven for greeting it with a shrug.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
The military audience managed to pull off that feat, but they can be forgiven for fretting about it in advance.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can be forgiven
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Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025
The bottom line Medical debt doesn't vanish on its own, but there are scenarios where it can be forgiven, canceled or rendered legally uncollectible.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
So when an alumnus of RuPaul’s Drag Race makes a foray into the world of recorded music, you can be forgiven for greeting it with a shrug.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2025
The military audience managed to pull off that feat, but they can be forgiven for fretting about it in advance.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can be forgiven
Cite this Entry
“Can be forgiven.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/can%20be%20forgiven. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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