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

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

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 forgive And while the public may understand a leader’s deception for security reasons, there are many other situations in which people may not forgive a lie. — Megan Poinski, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026 In the event of death or permanent disability of the primary borrower, College Ave will forgive the remaining balance of the loan. — Rebecca Safier, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026 Hollywood can forgive a lot, but being beaten by ‘CatVideoFest’ is the sort of indignity that writes its own punchline. — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Ashley Papa , Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 15 Aug. 2026 The woman carried guilt over not being there for him and wanted to forgive herself. — Sophia Buonpane, Kansas City Star, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgive

Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive

Verb

Rodney Taylor, a double amputee and Atlanta father of seven, was detained in Stewart Detention Center for 15 months in connection with a decades-old burglary charge that was later pardoned, advocates said.

— Dan Raby, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
Trump, meanwhile, pardoned 23 people convicted under the statute.

— Ryan Lucas, NPR, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of pardon

Verb

DeGravelles, who is based in Louisiana where Mohammed had been held, said harsher sanctions would be warranted if his orders continued to go ignored.

— CBS Baltimore Staff, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026
Lúcia added the Maria da Penha law needed updating because violence against women in Brazil is also a matter of power and as many femicides take place out of women’s homes in situations that are reported to police but ignored.

— Mauricio Savarese, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

Participants can inquire about renting an entire house or a single room, and all have access to a fully outfitted co-working space with common areas, meeting rooms, and a terrace overlooking the valley.

— Liz Provencher, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Aug. 2026
Monitoring their shifts shows that fast solar development degrades critical vegetation and food sources, threatening local biodiversity in ways other metrics often overlook.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

Neither the governor's office nor Wilson's office has explained why those two sections were left out between the May draft and the final trailer bill.

— Julie Watts, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026
Here, The Athletic explains the latest situation in terms of both outgoings and incomings at St James’ Park.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of explain

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“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forgive

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