condone

verb con·done \ kən-ˈdōn \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: condone in a Sentence

Editor's Note: Did You Know?

Definition of condone

condoned; condoning

transitive verb

: to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless

a government accused of condoning racism

condone corruption in politics

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condonable

play \kən-ˈdō-nə-bəl\ adjective

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condoner

noun

See condone defined for English-language learners

See condone defined for kids

condone was our Word of the Day on 09/20/2011. Hear the podcast!

Examples of condone in a Sentence

"I don't condone violence, and I think 'gangsta rap' should be outlawed," says [designer Tommy] Hilfiger … —Joshua Levine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 1997
Without waiting for Momma's thanks, he rode out of the yard, sure that things were as they should be and that he was a gentle squire, saving those deserving serfs from the laws of the land, which he condoned. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
And then she told him all—told him the truth word by word, without attempting to shield herself or condone her error. —Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, 1912
a government that has been accused of condoning racism
he is too quick to condone his friend's faults

Recent Examples of condone from the Web

Bateman appeared to be trying to excuse or condone Tambor's behavior during the incident.

— rebecca farley, refinery29.com, "Arrested Development," 24 May 2018
The suit alleges that the police chief at the time, James Debbie, did not take any action and might have even condoned the antics.

— scott berson, miamiherald, "Cops harassed other cops with Big Blue the sex toy and dipped genitals on food, NJ lawsuit says | Miami Herald," 18 May 2018
Patrick Melrose stars Cumberbatch as a man struggling to overcome damage inflicted by an abusive father and the mother who condoned his behavior.

— lesley goldberg, The Hollywood Reporter, "Showtime Expands Originals to Saturdays With Benedict Cumberbatch Drama," 16 Mar. 2018
The facts are the rude booing from my perspective facing the audience condoning the actions of this man, are coming from the younger people in the audience.

— noelle devoe, Seventeen, "Students Walk Out After School Director Makes Racist Remark at Graduation Ceremony," 12 May 2015
My role isn't to support nor condone his agenda but rather taper executive power.

— dave bangert, Indianapolis Star, "Indiana Primary 2018: 4th District candidates discuss Trump, other priorities in Q&A," 4 May 2018
This wasn’t the first time Barkley had condoned violence with NBA players either.

— andrew joseph, For The Win, "Michelle Beadle told Jalen Rose why he's wrong about Charles Barkley's remarks," 2 May 2018
Here's some bad news for those who condone this or uses it theres not a workplace on Earth that will provide this to its employees.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "'Cry Closet' for stressed students gets decried, college says it's 'work of art' | The Kansas City Star," 26 Apr. 2018
While administrators of websites like incel.me have condemned the attack, many online users have heralded Minassian and condoned violence against women.

— mahita gajanan, Time, "The Toronto Van Attack Suspect Was Obsessed With Rejection From Women. He Is Not Alone Among Violent Men," 25 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'condone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

Since some folks don't condone even minor usage slips, you might want to get the meaning of this word straight. Although English speakers sometimes use "condone" with the intended meaning "approve of" or "encourage," the more established meaning is closer to "pardon" or "overlook." "Condone" comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." "Condonare" in turn combines the Latin prefix con-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give" or "to grant." Not surprisingly, "donare" is also the source of our words "donate" and "pardon."

Origin and Etymology of condone

Latin condonare to absolve, from com- + donare to give — more at donation

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1805

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

condone Synonyms

Phrases

close one's eyes to, forgive and forget;

Synonym Discussion of condone

excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these.

- excuse an interruption
- excused them for interrupting

Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

- injustice excuses strong responses

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.