Synonyms of condone

condone

verb

kən-ˈdōn 

as in to ignore

to dismiss as of little importance

he is too quick to condone his friend's faults

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ignore
• forgive
• overlook
• justify
• explain
• excuse
• disregard
• pardon
• whitewash
• pass over
• brush (aside or off)
• paper over
• gloss (over)
• blink (at)
• rationalize
• forgive and forget
• discount
• remit
• wink (at)
• shrug off
• overpass
• exonerate
• absolve
• gloze (over)
• exculpate
• vindicate
• waive
• acquit
• close one's eyes to
• wave (aside or off)
• clear

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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

Recent Examples of condone

If there had been a homophobic or anti-woman gesture, there likely would have been a media uproar if a prominent athlete condoned it. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Like Judaism, like Christianity, Islam doesn’t condone terrorism. — Reshma Memon Yaqub, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026

Even as the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and of Iraq in 2003 became largely condoned by the American public, displacement, suffering and impasse persist in the region, now in the form of the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Iran. — Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026

Being empathetic and talking to people doesn’t amount to condoning their behavior, Marnik added. — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026

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