condone

verb con·done \ kən-ˈdōn \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

White institutions created it, white institutions maintain it, and white society condones it.

— lorraine boissoneault, Smithsonian, "Martin Luther King Jr.’s Assassination Sparked Uprisings in Cities Across America," 4 Apr. 2018
The school has no tradition or culture that would ever allow or condone what happened to Chessy.

— caroline hallemann, Town & Country, "St. Paul's Sexual Assault Survivor Chessy Prout Is Finally Telling Her Side of the Story," 3 Apr. 2018
The court evangelicals do not condone Trump’s behavior.

— john fea, Washington Post, "How evangelical support of Trump helped to bring pornography into the mainstream," 26 Mar. 2018
The 2nd Amendment was never meant to condone murdering kids.

— paul daugherty, Cincinnati.com, "Doc: I thought Chris Mack was staying at Xavier University. Then, my phone rang.," 26 Mar. 2018
This column doesn’t condone cheating in athletics, but rather objects to the FBI’s effort to treat it as a criminal offense and a matter worthy of federal investigative resources.

— james freeman, WSJ, "The FBI Gets Its Men," 22 Mar. 2018
Canavan wrote in a March 7 letter that HCPS could not condone students walking out of class because of safety and staffing concerns.

— david anderson, The Aegis, "C. Milton Wright students participated in 'learning module' on school security and violence, some also walked out with permission," 15 Mar. 2018
Critics, meanwhile, are worried that Trump’s apparent admiration of a leader who’s ordered the extrajudicial killing of drug dealers and drug users essentially condones human rights abuses.

— natasha bach, Fortune, "Trump's Reported Stance on Executing Drug Dealers Is His Latest Nod to the Philippines' Authoritarian Leader," 26 Feb. 2018
In recent years, the government has condoned nationalist outbursts and then stamped them out after a short period.

— sui-lee wee, New York Times, "Marriott to China: We Do Not Support Separatists," 11 Jan. 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

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.

- 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

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up condone? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

condone

Definition of condone

condonable

condoner

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

Near Antonyms

Related Words

Phrases

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Going Greek: 7 Words from the Greek Alphabet

'Preventive' or 'Preventative'?

Odd Habits and Quirks Quiz

Trending: Trump: Den of Thieves and 'Lowlifes'

2017 Word of the Year: Behind the Scenes