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

Relevance

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
Biden set a record in presidential pardons, commutations, and clemencies for over 4,200 people. —Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 1 June 2025 The pardons were officially signed on Wednesday, and the Chrisleys left their respective prisons in Pensacola and Lexington, Kentucky. —Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
Verb
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the reality star, 45, reacted to President Donald Trump pardoning Todd and Julie Chrisley on May 27. —Esther Kang, People.com, 2 June 2025 Pamela Hemphill is one of the more than 1,500 people whom Mr. Trump pardoned earlier this year for their roles in the U.S. Capitol Insurrection. —Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 1 June 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
  • Nicky has been on her path and on her process of self discovery and self forgiveness.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 30 May 2025
  • This is the work of healing behind the curtain: spiritual hygiene, emotional clarity, and forgiveness.
    — Colin Bedell, Them., 28 May 2025
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • After the season Manchester United has endured, the club’s fans could be forgiven for wanting the campaign to end.
    — Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
  • There are no limits to the number of donations per person, though fines will not be forgiven for library items that are lost or damaged.
    — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 May 2025
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • What can also be said with certainty, however, is that — even ignoring, for one moment, the events that brought him to Chelmsford crown court in Essex, east of London — this is a story of what might have been.
    — Stuart James, New York Times, 6 June 2025
  • As the state on Thursday summed up the brutal details that made up the prosecution’s case, a relative walked out of the courtroom with a loud scream, causing Petrone to tell the jury to ignore the outburst.
    — Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2025
Definition of ignore
Noun
  • Backing union struggles and the fight for amnesty, a life and death question for the labor movement.
    — Harrison Mantas, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Apr. 2025
  • The former president and his allies also will push for Congress to grant amnesty to those in jail for their roles in the Jan. 8, 2023, riot.
    — Eléonore Hughes, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of amnesty
Verb
  • The unlikely trio begins working backward, reexamining the missing person’s case and trying to determine what avenues and signs were previously overlooked.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 29 May 2025
  • Tucked between Kamala and Patong beach, the journey to this hidden hillside bar includes a wooden path with photogenic stops, including a floating frame overlooking the Andaman Sea.
    — Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of overlook
Verb
  • This creates a tension between excusing and exempting abuse.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 30 May 2025
  • But for her, the speculation doesn’t excuse what came next.
    — Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 May 2025
Definition of excuse

Browse Nearby Words

parchments
pardon
pardonable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pardon.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pardon. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on pardon

Nglish: Translation of pardon for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pardon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

'Bring' vs. 'Take'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Some Data About 'Datum'

The Clinical History of 'Moron,' 'Idiot,' and 'Imbecile'
See More

Popular

See More

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All