pardon 1 of 2

noun

ˈpär-dᵊn How to pronounce pardon (audio)
Definition of pardonnext
as in forgiveness
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense the criminal is hoping for a presidential pardon

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pardon

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to forgive
to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward he eventually pardoned his sister after she apologized

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to ignore
to dismiss as of little importance I'm willing to pardon a little sloppiness of dress in such a kind and loving person

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
In Hinduism, the deity Ganga is an eminent mother figure who purifies, pardons, and provides moksha, the ultimate eternal bliss. —Norma Meyer, Oc Register, 4 Feb. 2026 This pardon is not just about Wanda Vázquez. —Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
He was sentenced for federal gun charges, pardoned in May 2025. —Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 29 Jan. 2026 McBee continued to share details about the pardoning process on the podcast, saying navigating the steps has been complex but necessary. —Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 28 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pardon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardon
  1. forgiveness
  2. forgive
  3. ignore
  4. amnesty
  5. overlook
  6. excuse
Noun
  • Steven McDonald, a fallen hero of the department who channeled the agony of three devastating gunshot wounds into an enduring message of peace and forgiveness.
    — Barry Williams, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
  • At the same time, borrowers had to stay on top of changes to key forgiveness plans.
    — Dallas Morning News, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • In the end, Wirz was their only major conviction, because southern outrage and northern demands to forgive and forget brought an end to the legal effort.
    — Drew Gilpin Faust, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026
  • With so much attention going, understandably, to Bad Bunny's halftime concert during Super Bowl LX, you'd be forgiven for thinking no one else was performing.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of forgive
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
Noun
  • Last week, Rodríguez, a longtime Maduro ally, announced plans for a general amnesty that could lead to the release of hundreds of opposition leaders, journalists and human rights activists detained for political reasons.
    — EGINA GARCIA CANO, Arkansas Online, 8 Feb. 2026
  • His release comes amid pressure on Venezuela’s acting government to free hundreds of political prisoners, with lawmakers debating an amnesty bill.
    — Regina Garcia Cano, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of amnesty
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
  • 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

Browse Nearby Words

parchments
pardon
pardonable
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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on pardon

Nglish: Translation of pardon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pardon

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