forgive

verb

fər-ˈgiv How to pronounce forgive (audio)
Definition of forgivenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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 The back rent is not forgiven and must be paid back to the landlord. —Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 6 Feb. 2026 The leader of a conservative Fort Worth megachurch visited Gateway Church founder Robert Morris in jail and says God has forgiven the disgraced pastor. —Sarah Bahari, Dallas Morning News, 6 Feb. 2026 Two nurses can have identical clinical skill; the one with better bedside manner will be the one patients seek out, confide in, and forgive. —Grace Brown, Fortune, 5 Feb. 2026 That said, you'd be forgiven for wondering if the show might pivot. —Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forgive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forgive
  1. pardon
  2. ignore
  3. overlook
  4. explain
  5. excuse
  6. justify
Verb
  • He was pardoned 25 years later.
    — Elisha Brown, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Trump cannot pardon himself on a state conviction but his attorneys said his aim is to get the case into the federal appellate system and ultimately in front of the Supreme Court as quickly as possible.
    — Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 4 Feb. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Still, even inside the awards-season bubble, the turmoil surrounding the movie business, the country and the world beyond it was hard to ignore.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
  • They're exhausted by the constant airing of grievances having little to do with what's actually going on in the country, and by the broad generalizations about, well, everything, that ignore context, nuance and facts to promote a political viewpoint.
    — Brenda Looper, Arkansas Online, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of ignore
Verb
  • On the first day of school during Black History Month, Ruth Duran assigned her sixth graders in the Bronx the story of a key figure overlooked in most history books.
    — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
  • It’s grown on the lush farm of Flamingo Estate — an idyllic hillside orchard overlooking Los Angeles.
    — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Whitwam explains that Catalina mule deer hunting was traditionally reserved for island residents and their guests, or hunters who were willing to book with a local guide.
    — Kris Millgate, Outdoor Life, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Definition of explain
Verb
  • Judges have a duty to uphold statutes designed to protect victims, to respect the lawful role of law enforcement, and to ensure that criminal conduct is addressed through the rule of law — not excused, minimized, or politicized.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
  • But opportunists in a crowd don’t excuse reckless governance.
    — Melissa Derosa, New York Daily News, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of excuse
Verb
  • Meanwhile, Tesla has worked to secure millions in state and local funding for its Semi, while many in the trucking industry question whether the vehicle’s uneven development timeline justifies such heavy public investment.
    — Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Those documents will reveal the grounds the federal government used to justify the FBI’s seizure of 2020 election records last month.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Definition of justify

Phrases Containing forgive

Browse Nearby Words

forgivable
forgive
forgive and forget
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Cite this Entry

“Forgive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forgive. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forgive

Nglish: Translation of forgive for Spanish Speakers

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