FORGIVE Synonyms: 59 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

forgive

verb

fər-ˈgiv

Definition of forgive next

as in to pardon

to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward it is not easy to forgive those who have hurt us

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ignore

to dismiss as of little importance he has so many good qualities that I guess we can forgive a slight penchant for exaggeration

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Anyone could be forgiven for struggling to remember which TV shows aired in 2024. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024 Progressive voices on Capitol Hill are now demanding President Biden forgive nonviolent offenders and inmates facing the death penalty. —

Cheyanne M. Daniels, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024 If anything, the 6'6 guard was supposed to be the fourth or fifth scorer this year, so he can in many ways be forgiven for not living up to first-option expectations. —

Morten Stig Jensen, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024 The Mavericks could have been forgiven for taking a knee given the suffocating nature of a Thompson Valley defense that allowed 89 points this season. —

Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 7 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forgive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive

Verb

President Calvin Coolidge pardoned Garvey two years into his sentence.

Tesfaye Negussie, ABC News, 24 Dec. 2024
The previous week, Biden made another move, pardoning 39 people convicted of nonviolent crimes, as well as 1,500 people — setting a new daily record for clemency — who were put on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Emily Martin, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024