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
How much can be forgiven because Mark didn’t know the woman counseling him at work was his wife (or, at least, his Outie’s wife)?
—
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
Viewers who haven’t read the books can be forgiven for not immediately falling out of their chairs when Thom shows back up, but to book readers, his absence has been keenly felt.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
With 14 first-team players on international duty over the next fortnight — ranging from Morgan Gibbs-White with England to Eric Moreira with the Germany under-19 side — Nuno can be forgiven for his caution.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
For her, the first time can be forgiven, but the betrayal stings.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 24 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for can be forgiven
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.
Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Feb. 2025
Viewers who haven’t read the books can be forgiven for not immediately falling out of their chairs when Thom shows back up, but to book readers, his absence has been keenly felt.
—ArsTechnica, 4 Apr. 2025
With 14 first-team players on international duty over the next fortnight — ranging from Morgan Gibbs-White with England to Eric Moreira with the Germany under-19 side — Nuno can be forgiven for his caution.
—Paul Taylor, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
For her, the first time can be forgiven, but the betrayal stings.
—Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 24 Mar. 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 30 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share