condone

verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

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

kən-ˈdō-nə-bəl 

adjective

condoner noun

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.

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for 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

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 on the Web

But in condoning the destruction of Hamas by Israel, Sisi courts opposition at home. —Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 25 Oct. 2023

The Israeli government pushed back, blasting leaders at the United Nations and in Turkey for statements that Israeli officials said condoned Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack. —William Booth, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2023

Robin said the school had not pursued cases students reported about other posts, including one that said the writer didn't condone violence although there was an ongoing issue with the fate of Palestinians. —Chantal Da Silva, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2023

So here’s a refresher: Jordan not only condoned President Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election and reject its legitimate outcome but actively plotted with the pouty president to do so. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023

Following the attacks, a number of pro-Palestinian student groups released statements and planned protests condoning the attacks and denouncing Israel's response. —Jeremiah Poff, Washington Examiner, 12 Oct. 2023

Lizzo is facing another lawsuit from a former employee who alleges that the entertainer condoned a hostile work environment in which staff were subjected to harassment, discrimination and bullying. —Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2023

But while there’s no need to condone book burning and plenty of reasons to condemn it, it shouldn’t be punished by law. —Suzanne Nossel, WSJ, 21 Sep. 2023

The complaint named three hotels — among them the Fairmont Miramar — alleging hotel management had condoned or turned a blind eye to attacks on workers. —Suhauna Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2023

See More

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

condone

verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

condoned; condoning

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

condones his friend's faults

condonation

ˌkän-də-ˈnā-shən

-dō-

noun

condoner

kən-ˈdō-nər

noun

Legal Definition

condone

transitive verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

condoned; condoning

: to pardon or overlook voluntarily

Etymology

Latin condonare to give away, absolve