condone

verb

kən-ˈdōn How to pronounce condone (audio)
Definition of condonenext
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance he is too quick to condone his friend's faults

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condone differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condone are excuse, forgive, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," 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 would excuse be a good substitute for condone?

The words excuse and condone are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 is forgive a more appropriate choice than condone?

Although the words forgive and condone have much in common, forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When can pardon be used instead of condone?

The synonyms pardon and condone are sometimes interchangeable, but pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

Example 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 condone The suit also asserts that DHS, ICE and CBP maintain policies and practices that tolerate and condone the use of excessive force. — City News Service, Daily News, 22 May 2026 There are passages in the Hebrew Bible that glorify or seem to condone mass killing, destruction of whole cities, male domination of women, even slavery. — Kenneth Seeskin, Chicago Tribune, 11 May 2026 Few would condone taking their neighbor’s jewelry to cover a credit card debt. — Robertas Bakula, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026 The negative extremes should never be condoned, but sometimes being told — in the right way, and by the coaches, not irate parents — that attitudes are not right could help stop the slide. — Laura Williamson, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for condone
Recent Examples of Synonyms for condone
  1. ignore
  2. forgive
  3. overlook
  4. justify
  5. explain
  6. excuse
Verb
  • And while in some cases online classes can’t be ignored, the preference is that players attend in the classroom.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The Republican Party has ignored the national debt every time Republican presidents have signed bills that have cut taxes on the wealthy.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • Between house prices, the cost of living, and the threat AI poses to the labor market, Gen Z could be forgiven for giving up on the American Dream.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Debt can also be discharged under circumstances such as bankruptcy and certain legal proceedings, although those aren't the same as a creditor voluntarily deciding to forgive an account.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Cox, whose home overlooks the scenic drive, said she's seen several violent crashes along the road.
    — Laurie Perez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Organizations frequently chase transformation through sweeping initiatives while overlooking subtle changes that disrupt habitual thinking.
    — Rodger Dean Duncan, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Southampton’s status as one of England’s premier talent houses is justified by the top of this list thanks to their sale of a 16-year-old Theo Walcott to Arsenal in January 2006.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Crump also argued that the criminal charges subsequently brought against Hackett were only brought to justify the force Arellano had already used.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of justify
Verb
  • Some news stations would run a warning for viewers before the ad would air, as well as explain the FCC law requiring its airing.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Find out what the bill does when one workflow triples its tool calls after a model upgrade, because that is the scenario that turns a modest platform fee into a line item the CFO wants explained.
    — Janakiram MSV, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • The Supreme Court ruled parents were entitled to notice and an opportunity to excuse their children from instruction that substantially burdened their religious exercise.
    — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 10 Aug. 2026
  • For me, the larger question is not whether artistic behavior excuses transgression, but how to hold artistic achievement and ethical accountability together without allowing one to erase the other.
    — Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of excuse

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Cite this Entry

“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condone. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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