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 Trump's order had called for the federal Election Assistance Commission to withhold funds to the nearly 20 states and jurisdictions with forgiving mail ballot deadlines. Miles Parks, NPR, 13 June 2025 Those loans will be entirely forgiven for graduates who work in behavioral health for five years or more. Jon Marcus, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025 To forgiving, loving, and laughing our way through it all. Nathan Vinson, People.com, 13 June 2025 South Holland is getting a loan of $3.5 million, with $2 million being forgiven, to replace 350 water lines. Mike Nolan, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for forgive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive
Verb
  • Her parents began their respective sentences in January 2023 and were released from prison on May 28 after being pardoned by President Donald Trump.
    Greta Bjornson, People.com, 29 June 2025
  • The Trump administration has pardoned all Jan. 6 protesters and has taken actions against those who prosecuted them for a variety of allegations connected to the unrest.
    Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • While Paladino’s nonsense was rightfully ignored, a letter from a member of the House majority to the AG may not be ignored, especially this AG, especially under this president.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 29 June 2025
  • Those who depend on freewheeling and shoot-from-the-hip strategies and tactics to address a crisis are ignoring or disregarding fundamental crisis management best practices that favor a calm, deliberate, and thoughtful approach.
    Edward Segal, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • The family-run property’s 36 rooms and suites are scattered throughout three homes overlooking the water, and, despite its small size, offers amenities worthy of a larger resort, from the lakeside Boat Bar (a favorite at sunset) to a spa complete with an infrared sauna and body wrap cabin.
    Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 22 June 2025
  • The Lowdown The private estate overlooking the Mediterranean was renovated by local architect Luc Svetchine, whose father, André, first restored the buildings 50 years ago.
    Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Brad Kirner, director of destination development at Cook Islands Tourism Corporation, explained in the email interview that with tourism making up around 70% of the Cook Islands’ GDP, the border closure due to COVID-19 essentially froze the economy overnight.
    Emese Maczko, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Stevens explains that there are three things to consider when looking at sustainability in swim: materials and process innovation, communication and transparency, and giving back.
    Alyssa Hardy, Vogue, 1 July 2025
Verb
  • This is what happens when incitement is normalized and hate is excused under the guise of political expression.
    Lisa Katz, New York Daily News, 22 June 2025
  • More covert and implicit behaviors are also easier for abusers to deflect, excuse away, and blame their partner for.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • In our opinion, this favorable trend justifies an upward revision of its valuation multiple.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The midfielder has arguably had to fight even harder to begin to justify the energy and expense required to bring him to Stamford Bridge two and a half years ago.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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