Synonym Chooser

How does the verb condone differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of condone are excuse, forgive, and pardon. While all these words mean "to exact neither punishment nor redress," 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 would excuse be a good substitute for condone?

The words excuse and condone 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 is forgive a more appropriate choice than condone?

Although the words forgive and condone have much in common, forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.

could not forgive their rudeness

When can pardon be used instead of condone?

The synonyms pardon and condone are sometimes interchangeable, but pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.

pardon a criminal

Examples of condone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Losing a friend is bound to hurt, but Miss Manners cannot condone doing it with an insult. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 15 July 2024 In the season 18 premiere of The Real Housewives of Orange County, Tamra Judge did not condone Shannon’s choice to drink after getting a DUI. Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 11 July 2024 There have even been calls to boycott businesses seen as condoning their removal. Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 Influencer and model Nara Smith, TikTok-famous for making bubble gum and tapioca pearls from scratch, recently shared a recipe for homemade sunscreen — one that dermatologists don’t condone. Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 2 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for condone 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condone. Accessed 7 Sep. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on condone

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