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Some common synonyms of pardon<\/em> are condone<\/em><\/a>, excuse<\/em><\/a>, and forgive<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to exact neither punishment nor redress,\" pardon<\/em> implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.<\/p>

\/\/ pardon<\/em> a criminal<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'condone' a more appropriate choice than 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words condone<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, condone<\/em> 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.<\/p>

\/\/ a society that condones<\/em> alcohol but not narcotics<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'excuse' be a better fit than 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words excuse<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, excuse<\/em> may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.<\/p>

\/\/ excuse<\/em> an interruption<\/p>

\/\/ excused<\/em> them for interrupting<\/p>

\/\/ injustice excuses<\/em> strong responses<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'forgive' be used instead of 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms forgive<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but forgive<\/em> implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.<\/p>

\/\/ could not forgive<\/em> their rudeness<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How does the verb 'pardon' differ from other similar words?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

Some common synonyms of pardon<\/em> are condone<\/em><\/a>, excuse<\/em><\/a>, and forgive<\/em><\/a>. While all these words mean \"to exact neither punishment nor redress,\" pardon<\/em> implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.<\/p>

\/\/ pardon<\/em> a criminal<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When is 'condone' a more appropriate choice than 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

In some situations, the words condone<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are roughly equivalent. However, condone<\/em> 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.<\/p>

\/\/ a society that condones<\/em> alcohol but not narcotics<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When might 'excuse' be a better fit than 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The words excuse<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, excuse<\/em> may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.<\/p>

\/\/ excuse<\/em> an interruption<\/p>

\/\/ excused<\/em> them for interrupting<\/p>

\/\/ injustice excuses<\/em> strong responses<\/p>" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "When can 'forgive' be used instead of 'pardon'?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "

The synonyms forgive<\/em><\/a> and pardon<\/em> are sometimes interchangeable, but forgive<\/em> implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.<\/p>

\/\/ could not forgive<\/em> their rudeness<\/p>" } } ] }

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

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
Last week, Israel’s Justice Ministry reportedly concluded that Netanyahu’s request for a pardon did not meet the criteria for granting one and should therefore be rejected. —Yair Rosenberg, The Atlantic, 11 Mar. 2026 Lawsuits help felons get their guns back A majority of the 22 individuals named in February by the attorney general had their rights restored after applying for full pardons at the department. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA Today, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
For instance, teachers can use the Constitution to help students understand how the president was able to pardon rioters. —Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026 One pardoned corporate executive even touted his mother’s campaign donations in his application. —Daniel Weiner, Time, 9 Mar. 2026 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
  • De Kock asked for forgiveness from some of his victims, according to the BBC.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
  • If there is forgiveness, there is understanding.
    — Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 23 Mar. 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • Give me raiders of the lost past, any day, and forgive them their lack of footnotes.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
  • Overcoming scandal, moving forward Crisis management experts told The Denver Post that while the public is usually willing to forgive and forget scandals if those involved do a good job communicating, the fraught nature of dealing with death makes this more complicated.
    — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Mar. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • But all that seemed to go ignored by the presenter, attendees said.
    — Jesse Coburn, ProPublica, 24 Mar. 2026
  • But how can justice, let alone a meaningful reckoning, begin when the killings go on, swept under the rug by state officials and all but ignored by everyone else?
    — Brendan King, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026
Definition of ignore
Noun
  • Now, prisoners are leaving El Helicoide, as the Rodríguez government implements an amnesty law that has benefited hundreds of dissidents.
    — Manuel Rueda, NPR, 20 Mar. 2026
  • After the successful defense of the city, the Portuguese governor extended amnesty to all rebels who surrendered.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Mar. 2026
Definition of amnesty
Verb
  • The atoms still emit the same total amount of light, which is why this effect has been overlooked until now.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Compared to downtown Park City and most Deer Valley resort accommodations, the hotel is positioned on the opposite side of the mountain overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2026
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • For Barbara, impending death does not inspire a moral awakening, and Rosenberg never gives the reader an origin story that would excuse her cruelty.
    — Isle McElroy, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Please excuse the pun, but the One Battle After Another star looks like a literal cascading waterfall at the Oscars 2026.
    — Meg Walters, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026
Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

parchments
pardon
pardonable
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Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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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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