condone
verb
transitive verb
Did you know?
Since some folks don't condone even minor usage slips, you might want to get the meaning of this word straight. Although English speakers sometimes use condone with the intended meaning "approve of" or "encourage," the more established meaning is closer to "pardon" or "overlook." Condone comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." Condonare in turn combines the Latin prefix con-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give" or "to grant." Not surprisingly, donare is also the source of our words donate and pardon.
Synonyms
- blink (at)
- brush (aside or off)
- discount
- disregard
- excuse
- forgive
- gloss (over)
- gloze (over)
- ignore
- overlook
- overpass
- paper over
- pardon
- pass over
- remit
- shrug off
- whitewash
- wink (at)
Example Sentences
Joshua Levine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 1997 Without waiting for Momma's thanks, he rode out of the yard, sure that things were as they should be and that he was a gentle squire, saving those deserving serfs from the laws of the land, which he condoned. Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969 And then she told him all—told him the truth word by word, without attempting to shield herself or condone her error. Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, 1912 a government that has been accused of condoning racism he is too quick to condone his friend's faults Carol Robinson | Crobinson@al.com, al, 27 July 2022 Aafia Siddiqui, whose release has been demanded by a man who has taken hostages inside a Texas synagogue, would not condone the man's actions, her attorney said Saturday. Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 16 Jan. 2022 Fairfax Republicans Chair Steve Knotts said in a statement that the party does not condone the laughter in the video. Nicole Asbury, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2022 Even Far From Home and No Way Home showed us that there are people who do not necessarily condone everything superheroes do. Chris Smith, BGR, 24 Aug. 2022 Continuing not to return calls is a perfectly reasonable way to show your unwillingness to condone their unlawful behavior. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 20 July 2022 For many years, Netflix and others streamers didn’t seem bothered by password sharing — and even seemed to condone it. Wendy Leestaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2022 Miss Manners does not generally condone making suggestions of how others can honor oneself. Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 19 July 2022 This was a step further than the Academy's statement just after Sunday night's show, which said the organization does not condone violence. Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2022 See More Word History
Latin condonare to absolve, from com- + donare to give — more at donation
1805, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
condone
verb
Legal Definition
condone
transitive verb
condone
verb
Synonyms & Similar Words
- ignore
- forgive
- overlook
- justify
- explain
- excuse
- pardon
- disregard
- whitewash
- paper over
- pass over
- rationalize
- discount
- remit
- shrug off
- overpass
- exonerate
- absolve
- exculpate
- brush (aside or off)
- gloss (over)
- forgive and forget
- blink (at)
- vindicate
- wink (at)
- gloze (over)
- waive
- acquit
- close one's eyes to
- clear
- wave (aside or off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- note
- object (to)
- mark
- mind
- heed
Synonym Chooser
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.
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.
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.
The synonyms pardon and condone are sometimes interchangeable, but pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.