Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condone differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condone are excuse, forgive, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," 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

When would excuse be a good substitute for condone?

The words excuse and condone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

excuse an interruption
excused them for interrupting
injustice excuses strong responses

When is forgive a more appropriate choice than condone?

Although the words forgive and condone have much in common, forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When can pardon be used instead of condone?

The synonyms pardon and condone are sometimes interchangeable, but pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of condone Many Christian nationalists do not condone violence. John Blake, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2025 Health does not promote or condone weight loss that's not under the care of a healthcare provider. Julia Ries, Health, 9 Apr. 2025 Southwest later issued a statement condoning the behavior. Jason D. Greenblatt, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Apr. 2025 Without condoning the vulgarity of Team Trump, the shock may be useful. Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for condone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condone
Verb
  • Petrova claims her requests to correct the statement were ignored.
    Hanna Park, CNN Money, 12 May 2025
  • When Jackson walked off the pitch and down the tunnel, Chelsea’s head coach appeared deliberately to ignore him.
    Simon Johnson, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Barack Obama faced injunctions against Obamacare and Joe Biden's plan to forgive student loans was blocked.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 May 2025
  • The Chiefs’ leader will have celebrated his 30th birthday when Arrowhead rolls out the red-and-gold carpet for Jayden Daniels & Co., but given the weird dilation of post-COVID time and the Chiefs’ watery ubiquity, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Mahomes went to high school with Sid Luckman.
    Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 16 May 2025
Verb
  • The priest and academic believes Pope Leo XIV will in many ways follow the trajectory of Pope Francis, showing a similar commitment to care for immigrants, refugees and others who are often overlooked or disparaged.
    Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025
  • And for a true craft night, don’t overlook jars or vases as another creative outlet.
    Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • Some were concerned the data was being used to justify efforts to combat climate change, although the rising cost of weather disasters is due to more than just global warming.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • This would effectively challenge pharmaceutical companies to justify their pricing to America, leading to equitable pricing.
    Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025
Verb
  • As de Lara explains to Tanner, each Greek temple’s visual experience was different.
    Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2025
  • The farm announced via Facebook that its oldest alligator died on Sunday, explaining that Morris lived at the park for 19 years.
    Charna Flam, People.com, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Cook County Judge Angela Petrone ordered the juror, who appeared to recover, excused and subbed in one of the alternates.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 15 May 2025
  • Without excusing Weinstein’s thuggish qualities for a second, Evans was never the physical caricature of the studio exec.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condone. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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