forgive

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb forgive differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of forgive are condone, excuse, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When is condone a more appropriate choice than forgive?

The words condone and forgive can be used in similar contexts, but 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 forgive?

In some situations, the words excuse and forgive are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could pardon be used to replace forgive?

While the synonyms pardon and forgive are close in meaning, pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

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 forgive June forgives her, which is the greatest evidence yet that our weary protagonist is healing. Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 28 May 2025 In the book, that’s something Margaret Atwood said, is that’s what real power is — who gets to forgive who. Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 May 2025 In their final exchange, Serena apologizes for what she’s done and June forgives her. Yvonne Villarreal, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2025 Loans could be fully or partially forgiven if borrowers met certain criteria, according to the SBA. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for forgive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive
Verb
  • In Minnesota, leaders are bracing for the possibility that Trump will pardon Chauvin, who is serving concurrent state and federal prison sentences for murder, violating Floyd's constitutional rights and other crimes.
    N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 25 May 2025
  • Johnson’s sentence was commuted in 2018, and she was fully pardoned in 2020, but Kardashian seemed unsatisfied with her own level of participation in the process.
    Christie D’Zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 24 May 2025
  • In some cases, the older feline will always ignore and live a separate life to the newer kitten.
    Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Tucked between Kamala and Patong beach, the journey to this hidden hillside bar includes a wooden path with photogenic stops, including a floating frame overlooking the Andaman Sea.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • Overall, the move to focus on individual risks and benefits may overlook broader public health benefits.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • But in the late 19th century, Finkelstein explained, women who'd worked as nurses during the Civil War, even though not part of the Union or Confederate armies, lobbied for and won the right to be buried at Arlington.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 May 2025
  • As a condition of invitation to the festival, breweries must have a brewer in attendance to answer questions and explain their beers.
    Don Tse, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
Verb
  • This creates a tension between excusing and exempting abuse.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • But for her, the speculation doesn’t excuse what came next.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • This tactic is sometimes used to justify letting an employee go under the guise of poor performance.
    Sho Dewan, Forbes.com, 24 May 2025
  • By confusing the idea that the people’s will must prevail with what the law actually says, these leaders justify intimidating judges and their sound legal rulings, a move that ultimately undermines democracy.
    Michael Gregory, The Conversation, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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