forgiving

adjective

for·​giv·​ing fər-ˈgi-viŋ How to pronounce forgiving (audio)
fȯr-
Synonyms of forgivingnext
1
: willing or able to forgive
2
: allowing room for error or weakness
designed to be a forgiving tennis racquet
forgivingly adverb
forgivingness noun

Examples of forgiving in a Sentence

a person with a forgiving nature
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
More than a third of them are in Texas, where ample oil and gas resources and a historically forgiving regulatory environment had developers rushing to erect data centers as fast as they can be built and powered. — Matt Day, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026 View gallery - 7 images Even the most forgiving automotive designers might struggle to find a flattering angle on the Deep Orange 17. — New Atlas, 16 Aug. 2026 The ankle-skimming cut is inherently petite-friendly, and the forgiving elastic waistband handles long-haul flights and indulgent vacation meals with ease. — Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026 On the bottom of Gillette Stadium, the base is stone dust, a more forgiving surface. — Aaron Parseghian, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgiving

Word History

First Known Use

1623, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forgiving was in 1623

Rhymes for forgiving

See All Rhymes for forgiving

Browse Nearby Words

forgiver
forgiving
forgo
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Cite this Entry

“Forgiving.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forgiving. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forgiving

adjective
for·​giv·​ing
fər-ˈgiv-iŋ, 
fȯr-
1
: showing forgiveness : inclined or ready to forgive
a person with a forgiving nature
2
: allowing for human error or weakness
a tennis racket designed to be forgiving
forgivingly adverb
forgivingness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on forgiving

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for forgiving

Nglish: Translation of forgiving for Spanish Speakers

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