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

The Well Why a strict sense of justice hinders progress toward a fairer society When justice isn’t tempered by something such as mercy, forgiveness, or nonviolence, efforts to make society more equitable often backfire. —Big Think, 24 June 2024

Student advocates who support the regulation had anticipated an injunction from Pittman, a Trump appointee who struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness program in 2022. —Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 22 June 2024

The Biden administration has already canceled billions of dollars in student debt Though broad debt forgiveness failed in 2022, the administration has been chipping away at the nation’s $1.5 trillion student loan debt. —Sequoia Carrillo, NPR, 20 June 2024

There’s going to have to be some kind of forgiveness. —Kate Aurthur, Variety, 20 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

forgiveness

noun

for·​give·​ness fər-ˈgiv-nəs 

fȯr-

: the act of forgiving : pardon