pardon 1 of 2

pardon

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pardon differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pardon are condone, excuse, and forgive. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

When is condone a more appropriate choice than pardon?

In some situations, the words condone and pardon are roughly equivalent. However, 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 pardon?

The words excuse and pardon 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 can forgive be used instead of pardon?

The synonyms forgive and pardon are sometimes interchangeable, but forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

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 pardon
Noun
The president has the right under the Constitution for pardon and commutation, of course. ABC News, 19 Oct. 2025 Karl noted how Santos is one of many former congressmen to either be pardoned or receive clemency, prompting Johnson to point to former President Joe Biden’s mass pardons and commutations. Asher Notheis, The Washington Examiner, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
His father, then-President Joe Biden, later pardoned him. Boston Herald Wire Services, Boston Herald, 21 Oct. 2025 The former president pardoned his son late last year before leaving office. Jack Birle, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for pardon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardon
Noun
  • The clarification brings relief to borrowers who were recently notified of their forgiveness eligibility but may still be waiting for their balances to be zeroed out.
    Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
  • There will be no refuge or forgiveness—only justice.
    Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The Boss was essentially thanking the Taxi Driver scribe for forgiving the creative larceny Springsteen perpetrated in those early days of his career.
    Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025
  • That means many borrowers whose loans are forgiven after that date could be in for a hefty tax bill.
    Danielle Douglas-Gabriel The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 19 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Over the summer the FDA convened a panel on the safety of certain antidepressants in pregnancy that tried to cast doubt on this research, ignoring the real harms of not treating depression or anxiety for pregnant people themselves and for their fetuses.
    Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 23 Oct. 2025
  • But the writers, like Noah and Joanne, are ignoring that fundamental fork in the road in favor of inane high jinks from the couple and their increasingly irksome friends and family.
    Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Hamas members who disarm could receive amnesty or safe passage abroad.
    Cameron Schoppa, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Hamas members who renounce violence will be granted amnesty or safe passage, while those who continue resistance will be excluded from Gaza’s future governance.
    Morgan Phillips, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Too often, it’s overlooked, which means missing out on benefits and prevention opportunities.
    Conviva Senior Primary Care, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2025
  • Select penthouses also feature cascading string chandeliers, foosball tables, and private Peloton gyms overlooking the Strip.
    David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Their cry is not against the faith itself but against distorted theology that excuses cruelty.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025
  • After Politico reported that Young Republicans expressed outrageously racist, misogynistic and anti-Semitic sentiments, Vice President JD Vance excused it as just the edgy chat of young activists.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 19 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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