1
as in pardoned
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward
it is not easy to forgive those who have hurt us
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ignored
to dismiss as of little importance
he has so many good qualities that I guess we can forgive a slight penchant for exaggeration
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of forgiven
From looks alone, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Grand America Hotel was nestled somewhere in the European Alps, as opposed to Salt Lake City’s Wasatch Rockies.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Bale was in this sexy, challenging snapshot of 1970s glam rock.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Patrick Smith / Getty Images If the NHL trade deadline sneaked up on you this year, you’re forgiven.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
You'll be forgiven for not realizing that oleander, specifically Nerium oleander, is toxic, because the woody little shrub is a common sight in suburban landscapes due to its abundant, fragrant white, pink, red, or purple flowers.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Alberto Case | Getty Images Many student loan borrowers who get their debt forgiven in 2026 can expect a hefty tax bill next year.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,annie Nova, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
That’s no longer the case, so you would be forgiven for attaching more importance to the small-scale appeal of this adaptation of Irish author Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
You’d be forgiven for hibernating during this historically cold winter in Washington.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
You’d be forgiven for forgetting that Bale was in this sexy, challenging snapshot of 1970s glam rock.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Rocco-Herrmann/Getty Images After the price of silver smashed through a record $100 per ounce milestone in late January, many investors would be forgiven for expecting the metal to continue its remarkable surge upward largely unimpeded.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
Patrick Smith / Getty Images If the NHL trade deadline sneaked up on you this year, you’re forgiven.
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
You'll be forgiven for not realizing that oleander, specifically Nerium oleander, is toxic, because the woody little shrub is a common sight in suburban landscapes due to its abundant, fragrant white, pink, red, or purple flowers.
—Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2026
Alberto Case | Getty Images Many student loan borrowers who get their debt forgiven in 2026 can expect a hefty tax bill next year.
—Kate Dore, Cfp®, Ea,annie Nova, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
That’s no longer the case, so you would be forgiven for attaching more importance to the small-scale appeal of this adaptation of Irish author Bernard MacLaverty’s 2017 novel.
—Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2026
You’d be forgiven for hibernating during this historically cold winter in Washington.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgiven
Verb
-
Trump pardoned Hoffman in November.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
11 Mar. 2026
-
One pardoned corporate executive even touted his mother’s campaign donations in his application.—
Daniel Weiner,
Time,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Whether out of arrogance, capriciousness, or collective amnesia, this recent history was ignored.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Many speakers ignored instructions to address the board and instead addressed other speakers in the crowd.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
And, no, the controversial coach won’t likely be excused from his post anytime soon.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Before the Black Caucus lobbed this bomb at him, Pritzker would have been excused for thinking that his endorsement of a different Black woman would shield him from such criticism.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Results explained in clinical language that require several follow-up questions just to understand.—
Allison Palmer
March 9,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Mar. 2026
-
In a brief conversation Monday morning, Verdugo explained why.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Any proposal to increase taxes on that same November ballot — however justified — is almost certainly doomed, and might even add to the miasma of faux outrage that’s already surrounding the statewide tax cut.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
-
With the knockout rounds underway, Team USA will now look to quiet critics on the field and prove DeRosa’s faith in the roster was justified.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
More immediately, advocates in Pennsylvania are calling for heavier investment in an existing but often overlooked agency.—
Collin Binkley,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Long overlooked, the area is now drawing travelers looking for an alternative to South Africa’s popular safari spots.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Forgiven.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgiven. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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