pardon 1 of 2

pardon

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb pardon differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of pardon are condone, excuse, and forgive. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

When is condone a more appropriate choice than pardon?

In some situations, the words condone and pardon are roughly equivalent. However, 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 pardon?

The words excuse and pardon 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 can forgive be used instead of pardon?

The synonyms forgive and pardon are sometimes interchangeable, but forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

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 pardon
Noun
Biden set a record in presidential pardons, commutations, and clemencies for over 4,200 people. Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2025 The pardons were officially signed on Wednesday, and the Chrisleys left their respective prisons in Pensacola and Lexington, Kentucky. Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Verb
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the reality star, 45, reacted to President Donald Trump pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley on May 27. Esther Kang, People.com, 2 June 2025 Pamela Hemphill is one of the more than 1,500 people whom Mr. Trump pardoned earlier this year for their roles in the U.S. Capitol Insurrection. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for pardon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardon
Noun
  • Restrict the Department of Education’s authority to enact new regulations expanding pathways to student loan forgiveness and other debt relief.
    Adam S. Minsky, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
  • All removed their shoes before the saying of prayers and message of forgiveness and thankfulness led by Iman Mongy El-Quesny of the Northwest Indiana Islamic Center.
    Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • Employees trust them more, and citizens are more likely to forgive their mistakes.
    Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025
  • Viewers could be forgiven for looking ahead to the second set.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 7 June 2025
Verb
  • What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.
    Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • As the state on Thursday summed up the brutal details that made up the prosecution’s case, a relative walked out of the courtroom with a loud scream, causing Petrone to tell the jury to ignore the outburst.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Noun
  • Some states offer amnesty programs, often called voluntary disclosure agreements, to encourage property holder compliance.
    Jon D'Amato, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • On the revenue side, a tax amnesty program that would allow delinquent filers to pay off their tax debt without penalties is expected to generate $228 million in one-time money for the state.
    Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Ultimately, this creates blind spots that limit innovation and overlook entire categories of opportunity.
    Sindhya Valloppillil, Forbes.com, 10 June 2025
  • In addition to the eight hundred thousand dead, another casualty of the Civil War that’s often overlooked was civil liberties.
    The New Yorker, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Verb
  • Distraught over the proceedings, Shepperd excused herself to use the restroom.
    Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • After Chapman and police went into a lobby area outside the council room, a loud exchange is heard with Clark at one point excusing himself to step out of the council chambers.
    Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

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