forgive

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forgive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forgive are condone, excuse, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When is condone a more appropriate choice than forgive?

The words condone and forgive can be used in similar contexts, but 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 might excuse be a better fit than forgive?

In some situations, the words excuse and forgive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could pardon be used to replace forgive?

While the synonyms pardon and forgive are close in meaning, 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 forgive But those scenes tend to be very funny, and funny forgives a lot. Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 July 2025 Passing through central Greece, an outsider could be forgiven for not stopping in Volos. Derek Sandhaus, Saveur, 10 July 2025 Which does not work in any sense, as a PTSD-stricken Charlie bit the nose off of a terrified mall Santa, and Dee and Dennis' Christmas Carol-style redemption arc for their father was thwarted by Frank's swindled but forgiving old business partner refusing to play along. Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 10 July 2025 Those without fines are also encouraged to donate items, as each item will be used anonymously to forgive another patron’s fines. Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for forgive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive
Verb
  • Mayor Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat, is running as an independent, after Trump pardoned him for federal bribery charges.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 9 July 2025
  • His father — real-estate developer, slumlord, and pardoned felon Charles Kushner — was recently confirmed as ambassador to France.
    Brendan O'Connor, Curbed, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Remember, ignoring these signals can lead to heat exhaustion or life-threatening heat stroke.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2025
  • Too many times last year the line would just ignore somebody running right at them.
    Cameron Teague Robinson, New York Times, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Hussain said her family now lives in a house that’s overlooked by seven neighbors to feel protected.
    Latoya Gayle, People.com, 15 July 2025
  • But my frustration at her absence is also annoyance that FX’s raw and timely adaptation of Patrick Radden Keefe’s nonfiction book on the Troubles was overlooked in favor of stuff like Monsters: The Lyle and Eric Menendez Story and The Penguin.
    Judy Berman, Time, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The woman explained the extensive interviewing process as well as her concerns with pursuing the opportunity on the community forum Mumsnet.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 13 July 2025
  • Another royal source explained that layoffs were inevitable for the former royal family members.
    Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 13 July 2025
Verb
  • But the survey of 1,000 American adults, taken on June 10, also found that some excused or endorsed the violence against Jews.
    Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2025
  • When a flight attendant noticed, Dali faked vomiting to excuse her lengthy time in the bathroom.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • What event could possibly justify closing a major highway for days on end?
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 12 July 2025
  • If the Tripadvisor business was the company’s only segment, this valuation could be justified.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 12 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on forgive

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