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 Even as the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and of Iraq in 2003 became largely condoned by the American public, displacement, suffering and impasse persist in the region, now in the form of the ongoing conflicts in the Gaza Strip and Iran. — Christopher Coffman, The Conversation, 24 Aug. 2026 Being empathetic and talking to people doesn’t amount to condoning their behavior, Marnik added. — Felice J. Freyer, STAT, 19 Aug. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for condone

Recent Examples of Synonyms for condone

Verb

There is so much going on in all of our lives but far too much beauty in this world to ignore.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
Many structures are built with substandard materials and safety regulations are frequently ignored to reduce costs.

— Riaz Khan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of ignore

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

The targeting of civilian infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, particularly airports, illustrates the retaliatory logic the Houthis have invoked to justify their actions.

— Laurent Bonnefoy, The Conversation, 14 Oct. 2026
There is always a new spectacle, a new gimmick to lure people into a theater and justify the cost of a ticket.

— Sam Fleischner, IndieWire, 14 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

And while the challenges of the job don’t excuse the criminal actions, researchers and legal experts said, those experiences can often contribute to their behavioral issues.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Every so often, Singh would excuse himself to the bathroom and jot down Pattinson’s ideas.

— Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of excuse

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“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/condone. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Words of the Week: March 13, 2016

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Synonyms of condone

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