as in excusable
worthy of forgiveness
the new parents' gushing pride was pardonable
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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
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The time when teachers gain popularity points for airing local team’s games, and kindly bosses understand that Thursday is an excusable sick day.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Some experts believe there are instances where the practice is excusable.—
Theara Coleman,
TheWeek,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
While some of the public comments veer into conspiracy-territory, the vast majority surveyed by Futurism express some justifiable anxiety at the idea of a for-profit tech giant spearheading a project like this.—
Joe Wilkins,
Futurism,
4 June 2026
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His cap hit is justifiable as long as the Sabres are comfortable with his health.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
Adjective
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Through this program, the City of Charlotte offers deferred and forgivable loan options designed to make purchasing your first home more accessible.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Charlotte Observer,
10 June 2026
-
The program also offers a zero-interest second lien and a forgivable loan that may be forgiven after three years if requirements are met.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
10 June 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 16 Jun. 2026.
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