forgiveness
/fəˈɡɪvnɪs
/noun [mass noun]
The action or process of forgiving or being forgiven: she is quick to ask forgiveness when she has overstepped the line...
- We need to create a culture of tolerance and forgiveness and join hands together as one nation.
- Funny how we really learn to forgive when we need forgiveness ourselves.
- It's the teacher who teaches you how to live a life of tolerance, forgiveness and so on.
Synonyms
pardon, absolution, exoneration, remission, dispensation, indulgence, understanding, tolerance, purgation, clemency, mercy, pity, lenience, leniency, quarter;
reprieve, discharge, amnesty, delivery, acquittal, clearing, pardoning, condoning, condonation, vindication, exculpation
informal let-off, letting off
archaic shrift, shriving
Origin
Old English forgiefenes, from forgiefen (past participle of forgiefan 'forgive') + the noun suffix -nes.