forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving

I ask for your forgiveness.

Synonyms of forgiveness

• amnesty
• pardon

Examples of forgiveness in a Sentence

She treats us with kindness and forgiveness.

they asked her forgiveness for failing to invite her to the party

Recent Examples on the Web

And her philandering absentee father, Eddie (Woody Harrelson), has decided to pop his head back into her life and beg forgiveness. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2025

For that, forgiveness seemed to work. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 12 Dec. 2025

When debt resolution is the better option Debt resolution, also known as debt settlement or debt forgiveness, is generally the better fit when your debt has reached a point where full repayment just isn't realistic. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 11 Dec. 2025

The plan set out to halve payments for undergraduate loans, cut many borrowers’ monthly payments down to $0, and provide early forgiveness for borrowers whose original loan amounts were low. —Connor Greene, Time, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for forgiveness

• liveness

Kids Definition

forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving : pardon