pardon 1 of 2

Definition of pardonnext

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
Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance. Cullen Murphy, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 On June 14, the South Lawn of the White House will host not an easter egg roll or a turkey pardon, but rather a series of fights in a caged 92-foot tall Octagon, constructed and hosted by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Rebecca Schneid, Time, 12 June 2026
Verb
Jelly Roll also got his old drug and robbery convictions pardoned in Tennessee, and lost several hundred pounds. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2026 Carter pardoned Vietnam draft dodgers, signed the Camp David Accords, 1gave away the Panama Canal for $1, and created the Department of Energy and the Department of Education. New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pardon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardon
Noun
  • Start by checking your credit card debt forgiveness eligibility here.
    Matt Richardson, CBS News, 23 June 2026
  • The move comes as the department prepares to implement controversial changes to the PSLF program that would give Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sweeping authority to cut off borrowers from loan forgiveness.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Verb
  • Schmidt can be forgiven for making this headline-grabbing prediction.
    Rob Toews, Forbes.com, 22 June 2026
  • Philodendrons are easy and forgiving enough for beginners, but even more experienced gardeners love them for their variety of foliage and easy care.
    Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 19 June 2026
Verb
  • Price is where almost every search starts, and the difference between countries is hard to ignore.
    Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • By the time the sponsor wants to sell, the buyer sees what the sponsor ignored.
    Louis Mosca, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Christian legislators demanded amnesty for hundreds of citizens who fled to Israel after its forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.
    ABC News, ABC News, 5 June 2026
  • In January, Rodríguez announced plans to transform El Helicoide into a social and sports center as part of a broader political opening that included an amnesty initiative for political prisoners later approved by the National Assembly.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Alongside the communal dining, lounge and bar areas, is a clever subterranean wine cellar, an outdoor BBQ and dining area overlooking the riverbed, and a deck in the perfect spot for viewing the waterhole.
    Sarah Kingdom, Forbes.com, 21 June 2026
  • The kitchen, with room for a table that can handle informal dining, is open to the family room, where the visual focal points are the stone fireplace and French doors that lead to an elevated deck overlooking the in-ground pool and property at the rear of the home.
    James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 21 June 2026
Verb
  • Plus, our governor issued a memo excusing fans from delays caused by celebrating.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026
  • Mixing those up can lead to either punishing good judgment or excusing bad results.
    Flavio Maluf, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on pardon

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster