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

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
Washington — President Trump on Tuesday signed a pardon for Devon Archer, Hunter Biden's former business partner who testified before Congress about his business dealings with the former president's son. —Kathryn Watson, CBS News, 25 Mar. 2025 The letter, which was reported by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, did not come from a sycophantic follower, a would-be political appointee, or someone seeking a pardon. —Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Verb
If Trump wanted to relieve Adams from his criminal indictment, the president could simply have pardoned the mayor, instead his henchman Emil Bove concocted a scheme to temporarily suspend the case against Adams provided the mayor went along with the Trump immigration agenda. —New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 3 Apr. 2025 President Trump has pardoned Trevor Milton, founder of now-bankrupt hydrogen and electric truck maker Nikola, who was convicted in 2022 of misleading investors. —Ben Geman, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025 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
  • Buddhism, the country’s dominant religion, offers rituals for healing, reincarnation and forgiveness.
    — Sophal Ear, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • As to the economy, Noboa has leaned heavily into economic proposals like cash payments and debt forgiveness for farmers affected by natural disasters.
    — Max Saltman, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • Fans have not forgiven him for trading a global superstar in the prime of his career.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The elastic waistband is forgiving (especially post-resort buffet), and the wide legs allow airflow, even in hot climates.
    — Becca Blond, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • However, Catherine was unimpressed by him going overboard — and ignoring the importance of bedside manner — in the clinic.
    — Stephanie Wenger, People.com, 18 Apr. 2025
  • Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year.
    — Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 18 Apr. 2025
Definition of ignore
Noun
  • The men who abducted Paiva were indicted by federal prosecutors in 2014—but they have been protected by an amnesty law, passed as the regime was coming to an end, which has effectively kept the country from reckoning with the savagery of military rule.
    — Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025
  • This month, though, Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced an amnesty program wherein all of those penalties have been waived.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2025
Definition of amnesty
Verb
  • The mission began in fairly standard form: The SEALs infiltrated a bleak and dusty corner of Ramadi that happened to overlook a marketplace and, unbeknownst to them, also sat across from the lair of the Iraqi insurgents.
    — Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The dining area opens onto a balcony overlooking Piazza San Babila.
    — Andrea Onate, Footwear News, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • Until Henry momentarily excuses himself from the table, that is, and the person or persons behind these winky-wink messages tell her to poison Henry ASAP or the menacing guy currently hiding in her apartment will kill her boy.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The 2025 Masters is here, and more than Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele will be on display this week at Augusta National Golf Club for all the fans — excuse us, patrons — to bear witness to.
    — Hugh Kellenberger, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
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 25 Apr. 2025.

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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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