Synonyms for forgive
Definitions
- v. 1
To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.
Forgive us our trespasses.
Related words
- Word family
- forgivable forgiveness forgiver forgiving
Forms
- Past participle
- forgiv'n
e.g. forgiv'n → excused, absolved, pardoned, condoned…
Choose the right word
Forgive has reference to feelings, pardon to consequences; hence, the executive may pardon, but has nothing to do officially with forgiving. To pardon is the act of a superior, implying the right to punish; to forgive is the privilege of the humblest person who has been wronged or offended.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- excuse Excuse me, but where is the men's shoe department?
- pardon I beg your pardon; I didn't quite catch your name.
- condone Claudio doesn't condone doing anything like this.
- absolve This will never absolve Sami of the crime.
- overlook You may as well overlook his sins and forgive him.
By length
- 5 letters
- remit2
- 6 letters
- excuse2, pardon2, acquit2
- 7 letters
- condone2, absolve2
- 8 letters
- overlook3
- 9 letters
- exculpate3
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (remit2 = 2 syllables).