condone

verb con·done \ kən-ˈdōn \

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

—

condonable

play \kən-ˈdō-nə-bəl\ adjective

—

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

The local chapter of the NAACP and a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigrant also spoke to say a banner with a message like that cannot be condoned.

— david harris, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Community activists condemn white supremacist banner over I-4," 29 Aug. 2017
Anyone with Briles’s record of criminal negligence—who more or less condoned rape and assault in exchange for a winning program—has no place within the world of athletics, no matter what level.

— jon tayler, SI.com, "Art Briles Didn't Deserve a Second Chance in the CFL, or Anywhere Else," 28 Aug. 2017
This Buckley defended Sen. Joseph McCarthy, flirted with the John Birch Society, and condoned the violence of Southern segregationists.

— Philly.com, "William F. Buckley, Jr.: Conservative 'Galahad,' counselor to presidents," 27 Aug. 2017
The Ellicott City marker stands as a monument to those who fought for their beliefs in a vastly different era, and with the passage of time, were shown to be on the wrong side of history by allowing and condoning slavery.

— Howard County Times, "A monumental teachable moment [Editorial]," 16 Aug. 2017
Please understand that Gulf Coast does not condone this behavior.

— beau evans, NOLA.com, "Truck driver who sped down flooded Mid-City streets fired amid video outrage," 6 Aug. 2017
Religious law, or sharia, does not condone protecting rapists, said legislator Dima Tahboub, spokeswoman for the IAF.

— Bloomberg.com, "Jordan Activists Celebrate Repeal of 'Marry the Rapist' Law," 1 Aug. 2017
The @POTUS made remarks today that endorsed and condoned police brutality.

— gabrielle bruney, Esquire, "Cops Are Pushing Back Against Trump's Endorsement of Police Brutality," 30 July 2017
CNN, and others, said with the video the President was tacitly condoning violence against the media.

— scott roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, "Trump Fires Anti-Media Salvo Ahead of G20 Summit," 7 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

condone Synonyms

Synonyms

blink (at), brush (aside or off), excuse, discount, disregard, forgive, gloss (over), gloze (over), ignore, overlook, overpass, paper over, pardon, pass over, remit, shrug off, whitewash, wink (at)

Related Words

explain, justify, rationalize; absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; waive, wave (aside or off)

Near Antonyms

heed, mark, mind, note, object (to)

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.

- a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics

pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

- pardon a criminal

forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

- could not forgive their rudeness

CONDONE Defined for English Language Learners

condone

verb

Definition of condone for English Language Learners

: to forgive or approve (something that is considered wrong) : to allow (something that is considered wrong) to continue

CONDONE Defined for Kids

condone

verb con·done \ kən-ˈdōn \

Definition of condone for Students

condoned; condoning

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

I can't condone his actions.

Law Dictionary

condone

transitive verb con·done \ kən-ˈdōn \

legal Definition of condone

condoned; condoning

:to pardon or overlook voluntarily

Origin and Etymology of condone

Latin condonare to give away, absolve

Learn More about condone

See words that rhyme with condone Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for condone Spanish Central: Translation of condone Nglish: Translation of condone for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of condone for Arabic speakers

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condone

Definition of condone

condonable

condoner

From the M-W Editors

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

Examples of condone in a Sentence

Recent Examples of condone from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of condone

condone Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Synonym Discussion of condone

CONDONE Defined for English Language Learners

condone

Definition of condone for English Language Learners

CONDONE Defined for Kids

condone

Definition of condone for Students

Law Dictionary

condone

legal Definition of condone

Origin and Etymology of condone

Learn More about condone

Seen and Heard

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