forgiving 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of forgivingnext
1
as in caring

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Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in charitable

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

forgiving

2 of 2

verb

present participle of forgive
1
as in pardoning
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward it is not easy to forgive those who have hurt us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ignoring
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

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 forgiving
Adjective
But this style of gardening is very forgiving. — Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 June 2026 The Bravoverse is a largely forgiving community. — Kate Aurthur, Variety, 11 June 2026
Verb
The underlying economics are forgiving, if anyone bothers to design for them. — Warren Wimmer, Mercury News, 24 June 2026 Because data centers tend to be built in clusters where public policy is forgiving and resources plentiful, the bulk of Americans who share their neighborhood with server farms live in a relatively small handful of states, such as Virginia and Texas. — Tristan Bove, Fortune, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgiving
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgiving
  1. caring
  2. charitable
  3. pardoning
  4. ignoring
  5. compassionate
  6. scattered
  7. overlooking
  8. loving
Adjective
  • That term is used frequently by fans of endearing male celebrities or characters who come across as sensitive, caring or vulnerable.
    — Kaitlyn Huamani, Fortune, 13 July 2026
  • Branch added that such informal, caring relationships allow a freedom that a boy may not feel when relating to someone who is a relative, or an authority figure such as a teacher.
    — Annalisa Merelli, STAT, 10 July 2026
Definition of caring
Adjective
  • The show serves a charitable cause too, supporting FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which seeks to raise $100 million through the world cup efforts.
    — Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 17 July 2026
  • Since 2017, Miller’s posts about players and prospects, primarily on X, have been increasingly interspersed with calls for followers to donate to charitable campaigns.
    — Alex Andrejev, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of charitable
Verb
  • President Bill Clinton came under fire for pardoning former hedge-fund manager Marc Rich, and President Joe Biden was roundly criticized for pardoning his son, Hunter, as well as preemptively pardoning other family members.
    — Ryan Lucas, NPR, 13 May 2026
  • The Democrats have signaled that they are united in opposition to any talk of pardoning Maxwell.
    — Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of pardoning
Verb
  • The suspect allegedly attempted to flee again by jumping fences and ignoring the officers’ commands to stop, but was apprehended and placed in custody.
    — Colleen Cronin, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Sometimes they’re manipulated into ignoring or suppressing their suspicions.
    — Juliet Linderman, Fortune, 16 July 2026
Definition of ignoring
Adjective
  • The show featured the late Chief Judge Frank Caprio, who was known for his compassionate and humorous approach in the courtroom.
    — Paul Edward Parker, The Providence Journal, 16 July 2026
  • Neill is great at balancing the aggro energy of Zane with his intellectual, compassionate style.
    — Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of compassionate
Adjective
  • The right conversation could turn scattered effort into a working plan.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2026
  • If your data is messy, scattered or stale, the AI output fails.
    — Sagi Eliyahu, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of scattered
Verb
  • The unique building overlooking the bay is being offered for sale for the first time in decades.
    — Katie Schultz, Architectural Digest, 13 July 2026
  • In recent years, with attendance at Latin Mass topping 4,000, the SSPX built a 1,500-seat, $42 million church high on its campus overlooking the tranquil town.
    — Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2026
Definition of overlooking
Adjective
  • These heat-loving, drought-tolerant stunners thrive in full sun and are one of the only perennials that will bloom by the first year when grown from seed.
    — Abby Monteil, The Spruce, 15 July 2026
  • The young girl is a loving big sister, as Levine explained in 2018.
    — Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 14 July 2026
Definition of loving

Browse Nearby Words

forgives and forgets
forgiving
forgiving and forgetting
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Cite this Entry

“Forgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgiving. Accessed 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forgiving

Nglish: Translation of forgiving for Spanish Speakers

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