condone

verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

condoned; condoning

transitive verb

: to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless

a government accused of condoning racism

condone corruption in politics

condonable

kən-ˈdō-nə-bəl 

adjective

condoner noun

Did you know?

Since some folks don't condone even minor usage slips, you might want to get the meaning of this word straight. Although English speakers sometimes use condone with the intended meaning "approve of" or "encourage," the more established meaning is closer to "pardon" or "overlook." Condone comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." Condonare in turn combines the Latin prefix con-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give" or "to grant." Not surprisingly, donare is also the source of our words donate and pardon.

Synonyms

• blink (at)
• brush (aside or off)
• discount
• disregard
• excuse
• forgive
• gloss (over)
• gloze (over)
• ignore
• overlook
• overpass
• paper over
• pardon
• pass over
• remit
• shrug off
• whitewash
• wink (at)

Choose the Right Synonym for condone

excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress.

excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these.

excuse an interruption

excused them for interrupting

Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.

injustice excuses strong responses

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

pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

Examples of condone in a Sentence

"I don't condone violence, and I think 'gangsta rap' should be outlawed," says [designer Tommy] Hilfiger … —Joshua Levine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 1997

Without waiting for Momma's thanks, he rode out of the yard, sure that things were as they should be and that he was a gentle squire, saving those deserving serfs from the laws of the land, which he condoned. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969

And then she told him all—told him the truth word by word, without attempting to shield herself or condone her error. —Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, 1912

a government that has been accused of condoning racism

he is too quick to condone his friend's faults

Recent Examples on the Web

The court’s ruling grants cities the authority to prohibit individuals from sleeping and camping in public spaces, effectively condoning the use of fines and bans to address rising rates of homelessness. —Ishita Chordia, The Conversation, 23 Oct. 2024

There is no sacred scripture that condones the deaths of innocent people. —Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, 6 Oct. 2024

Even as leaders condoned ever-riskier behavior, none seemed to want the conflict to spiral out of control. —Mona Yacoubian, Foreign Affairs, 3 Oct. 2024

Yet, perversely, his behavior is also condoned, even codified, by church and state. —Jessica Winter, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin condonare to absolve, from com- + donare to give — more at donation

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

condone

verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

condoned; condoning

: to regard or treat (something bad) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless

condones his friend's faults

condonation

ˌkän-də-ˈnā-shən

-dō-

noun

condoner

kən-ˈdō-nər

noun

Legal Definition

condone

transitive verb

con·​done kən-ˈdōn 

condoned; condoning

: to pardon or overlook voluntarily

Etymology

Latin condonare to give away, absolve