CONDONE Synonyms: 36 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

condone

verb

kən-ˈdōn

Definition of condone

as in to ignore

to dismiss as of little importance he is too quick to condone his friend's faults

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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

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 condone State public defender Jeff Wright testified during the appeals proceedings that Ruhtenberg was fired because her posts were perceived as condoning violence. — Huo Jingnan, NPR, 23 June 2026 The Franklin Regional School District does not condone this type of behavior, and there is no room for hate speech in our community. — Mamie Bah, CBS News, 9 June 2026 For decades, Hezbollah’s arsenal had been tolerated, even tacitly condoned—shielded by the group’s political power and by its status among supporters as a counterweight to Israel. — Euan Ward, New Yorker, 29 May 2026 The suit also asserts that DHS, ICE and CBP maintain policies and practices that tolerate and condone the use of excessive force. — City News Service, Daily News, 22 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for condone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condone

Verb

Corbett said such arguments ignore Illinois’ long history of underfunding public schools, with the state providing only about a quarter of school districts’ revenue, according to the State Board of Education’s most recent Illinois Report Card.

— Dan Petrella, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
The shame lies with the governments who ignored the AIDS crisis and the stigma that was around people and the innate prejudice that was in society.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignore

Verb

Telluride’s ski area stretches across more than 2,000 acres, from wide, forgiving groomers to steep chutes and bowls, with the terrain climbing to 12,570 feet.

— Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
SpaceX’s reported $40 billion debt raise to buy Nvidia chips shows it is stuck between mature tech giants like Google and Meta and startups like OpenAI and Anthropic, whose private status tends to forgive their inability to pay their own bills.

— Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of forgive

Verb

Rooms New Paltz Way’s rooms are a balance of airy minimalism and natural textures, most with access to balconies that overlook the lush, leafy Rail Trail in the town of New Paltz.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2026
Do not overlook the impact of any financial windfalls, either.

— Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of overlook

Verb

At Wednesday’s hearing, Paul described Niembro as the most culpable of the four defendants and Ramirez as second, while acknowledging that Ramirez’s cooperation justified a significantly shorter sentence.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Rising prices could also lead shoppers to reconsider which rewards still feel small enough to justify.

— Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of justify

Verb

Kelly said she was impressed by Sand’s ability to not only answer complex policy questions off the cuff but also to explain the context of the issue for others in the audience who might not have been as familiar.

— Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 13 Oct. 2026
Faulk explained the section from the Old Applehill Road to Douglas Street is considered a limited access highway because the state does not want businesses creating their own access points.

— Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of explain

Verb

Following another sharp exchange between the siblings, Ellen excuses herself from dinner.

— Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026
Calling yourself compassionate doesn't excuse dangerous accusations What, exactly, is hateful about a mother or father wanting their daughter to have a female-only locker room?

— Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of excuse

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“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condone. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of condone

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