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
Every dime spent securing justice was flushed down the toilet thanks to those pardons. Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 10 May 2025 In fact, Trump views the Justice Department as a tool to uplift his political agenda, undoing the dedicated work of dozens of federal agents and prosecutors with his blanket pardon of the Jan. 6 insurrectionists and punishing or firing personnel that had engaged in disfavored inquiries. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025
Verb
On, Christmas Eve 1992, after Bush had lost his reelection race, the lame duck president pardoned all of those still facing legal jeopardy from Iran-Contra. Time, 14 May 2025 The president pardoned a Republican former Tennessee state lawmaker last month who had pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations and was serving a 21-month sentence. Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for pardon
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pardon
Noun
  • Nicky has been on her path and on her process of self discovery and self forgiveness.
    Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • This is the work of healing behind the curtain: spiritual hygiene, emotional clarity, and forgiveness.
    Colin Bedell, Them., 28 May 2025
Verb
  • After the season Manchester United has endured, the club’s fans could be forgiven for wanting the campaign to end.
    Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 24 May 2025
  • Despite California having the Public Records Act and existing case law that bolsters the public’s right to know, Olson said that bureaucrats in many public institutions ignore the case law.
    Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 23 May 2025
Noun
  • Backing union struggles and the fight for amnesty, a life and death question for the labor movement.
    Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The former president and his allies also will push for Congress to grant amnesty to those in jail for their roles in the Jan. 8, 2023, riot.
    Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The unlikely trio begins working backward, reexamining the missing person’s case and trying to determine what avenues and signs were previously overlooked.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • Tucked between Kamala and Patong beach, the journey to this hidden hillside bar includes a wooden path with photogenic stops, including a floating frame overlooking the Andaman Sea.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • This creates a tension between excusing and exempting abuse.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • But for her, the speculation doesn’t excuse what came next.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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