as in excusable
worthy of forgiveness
the new parents' gushing pride was pardonable
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 pardonable
But in this instance, the breach is entirely pardonable, because these two men, Jun and Arthur, have just gotten married.
—
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
All this is to say that any excesses of enthusiasm for Friday (and Thursday) might seem pardonable, although each day reached the thermal pinnacle of the 80s.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
According to Cohen, because misdemeanor possession of marijuana is now a pardonable offense, Department of Justice guidelines would not permit a plea to that effect.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
What happened, then, was surely a result of a pardonable misunderstanding.
—New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
In this case, to be fair, the length is a pardonable fault, for there is plenty here on which to feast.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
However, no one went hungry, and after a wholly pardonable delay all were accommodated.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2019
But now, without any provocation, and without the justification of reprisal or retaliation, a refusal to outlaw the use of the bomb save in reprisal is making a political purpose of its possession; this is hardly pardonable.
—Rosa Inocencio Smith, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2017
Literary Hub, 15 Aug. 2025
All this is to say that any excesses of enthusiasm for Friday (and Thursday) might seem pardonable, although each day reached the thermal pinnacle of the 80s.
—Martin Weil, Washington Post, 19 July 2024
According to Cohen, because misdemeanor possession of marijuana is now a pardonable offense, Department of Justice guidelines would not permit a plea to that effect.
—Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2024
What happened, then, was surely a result of a pardonable misunderstanding.
—New York Times, 11 Feb. 2020
In this case, to be fair, the length is a pardonable fault, for there is plenty here on which to feast.
—Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2019
However, no one went hungry, and after a wholly pardonable delay all were accommodated.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2019
But now, without any provocation, and without the justification of reprisal or retaliation, a refusal to outlaw the use of the bomb save in reprisal is making a political purpose of its possession; this is hardly pardonable.
—Rosa Inocencio Smith, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardonable
Adjective
-
Tottenham are in a poor run of form and playing and coaching staff alike are feeling the pressure, so expressions of frustration are to some extent natural and excusable, but there’s a continued and underlying sense of ill-discipline plaguing Frank’s first season in charge.—
Elias Burke,
New York Times,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Too many Republicans today seem to have a different idea, that bad behavior is excusable so long as the perpetrator is advancing their priorities.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Others said that the shooting is seemingly an extreme case and that charges might have been justifiable.—
Ben Wheeler,
Kansas City Star,
23 Jan. 2026
-
For much of the 20th century, Sweden enjoyed a justifiable reputation as one of Europe’s most egalitarian countries.—
Miranda Sheild Johansson,
Fortune,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Some old-school joints use frozen or canned options year-round—a forgivable workaround when doused with enough garlic.—
Becky Duffett,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
-
These second mortgages are either repayable or forgivable after 42 months of on-time payments on the owner’s primary mortgage.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
15 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But logging off—and returning to the sphere in which people are apt to forgive one another for venial affronts—is no longer an option.—
Becca Rothfeld,
The New Yorker,
21 Mar. 2022
-
And that loyalty has been reciprocated with job security and forgiveness of venial sins.—
cleveland,
cleveland,
12 Dec. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Pardonable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardonable. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
