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
After taking office this year, Trump issued pardons for hundreds of violent rioters. — Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2025 As Anthony Stitt reported, a pardon by Trump would not suddenly make Rose eligible for the Hall of Fame. — Dan Freedman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Calls for Trump to pardon Chauvin did not originate with Shapiro. — Chad De Guzman, TIME, 6 Mar. 2025 President Trump may pardon Pete Rose for his tax conviction. — Dan Freedman, Forbes, 5 Mar. 2025 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
  • Even after 27 years in prison, Mandela was able to counter his bullies with patience, forgiveness, and artful negotiation.
    — Dan Pontefract, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
  • How much would debt forgiveness save you on $10,000 in credit card debt this March?
    — CBS News, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • You would be forgiven for mistaking the Slim, at a glance, for the original model.
    — Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Known more as a producer of top-end future-NBA talent like Ben Simmons, Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and current Duke phenom Cooper Flagg, you’d be forgiven for thinking the prep school even cared about track and field.
    — Cory Mull, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • These tasks include staunching blood, ignoring lies, returning books, paying fees and – quite often – combing out the lice, to name just a few from the recitation of fierce, loving gestures.
    — Erik Pedersen, Orange County Register, 13 Mar. 2025
  • Issues with citations and publisher control The CJR researchers also uncovered evidence suggesting some AI tools ignored Robot Exclusion Protocol settings, which publishers use to prevent unauthorized access.
    — Ars Technica, Ars Technica, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of ignore
Noun
  • Yet there cannot be broad amnesty, particularly for those responsible for human rights atrocities.
    — Maha Yahya, Foreign Affairs, 17 Feb. 2025
  • In 2006, there was a huge rally in Santa Ana — along with other marches in the rest of the country — to protest a congressional bill that would have made Proposition 187 seem as friendly as President Reagan’s amnesty.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2025
Definition of amnesty
Verb
  • Yet, too often, organizations overlook the importance of a holistic, future-ready digital infrastructure.
    — Ciaran Roche, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2025
  • However, a key piece of the puzzle is often overlooked: supplier voices.
    — Adele Stafford, Sourcing Journal, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • A lot of students were aspiring actors: One week three people in my class were excused early to audition for the same Nickelodeon TV show.
    — Mara Wilson, Vulture, 18 Mar. 2025
  • Teachers who object for reasons of religion or conscience can be excused and replaced with a substitute reader.
    — Peter Greene, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of excuse

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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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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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