forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving

I ask for your forgiveness.

Synonyms

• absolution
• amnesty
• pardon
• remission
• remittal

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

Churchill sought to maintain social stability by negotiating for near-total debt forgiveness, whereas Mellon favored full repayment to fund U.S. tax reductions. —Foreign Affairs, 25 Feb. 2025

Forty years of sacrifice, 40 years of forgiveness, of talking about faith, spirituality, love, real love, unwavering love in spite of myself. —Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 25 Feb. 2025

And student loan forgiveness under ICR and PAYE is also now in very serious jeopardy. —Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025

So Eddie is most often, in my mind, the voice of forgiveness. —Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 23 Feb. 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