v. tr.

1. To excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon.

2. To renounce anger or resentment against.

n 1: compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive 2: the act of excusing a mistake or offense [syn: pardon]

Entry: forgive

Function: verb

Definition: pardon

Synonyms: absolve, accept apology, acquit, allow for, amnesty, bear with, clear, commute, condone, efface, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, extenuate, forget, laugh off, let off, let pass, make allowance, overlook, palliate, pardon, pocket, purge, release, relent, remit, reprieve, respite, spring, w, wink at

Concept: friendship

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: absolve

Function: verb

Definition: release

Synonyms: acquit, bleach, blink at, clear, clear excuse, discharge, exculpate, exempt, exonerate, forgive, free, launder, let go, let off, liberate, lifeboat, loose, pardon, release, relieve, sanitize, set free, spare, spring, vindicate, whitewash, wink at, write off

Antonyms: accuse, bind, blame, charge, condemn, convict, hold, impeach, incriminate, obligate, punish, sentence

Concept: law action

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: condone

Function: verb

Definition: allow

Synonyms: disregard, excuse, forget, forgive, ignore, let pass, okay, overlook, pardon, pass over, remit, wink at

Antonyms: censure, condemn, denounce, forbid, prevent

Concept: approval

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: excuse

Function: verb

Definition: forgive

Synonyms: absolve, acquit, alibi, apologize for, appease, bear with, clear, condone, cover, defend, discharge, dispense from, exculpate, exempt, exempt from, exonerate, explain, extenuate, forgive, free, give absolution, grant amnesty, indulge, justify, let go, let off, liberate, mitigate, overlook, pardon, pass over, plead ignorance, pretext, purge, rationalize, release, relieve, remit, reprieve, shrive, shrug off, spare, tolerate, vindicate, whitewash, wink at

Entry: expiate

Function: verb

Definition: correct

Synonyms: absolve, amend, appease, atone, atone for, compensate, correct, do penance, excuse, forgive, make amends, rectify, redeem, redress, remedy, square things

Concept: correction/rectification

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: let off

Function: verb

Definition: exonerate

Synonyms: abandon, absolve, discharge, dispense, drop, excuse, exempt, forgive, let go, pardon, privilege from, release, relieve, remove, spare

Concept: law action

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: melt

Function: verb

Definition: yield

Synonyms: become lenient, disarm, forgive, give in, mollify, relax, relent, show mercy, soften, touch

Concept: relaxation

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: overlook

Function: verb

Definition: make allowance

Synonyms: be big, bear with, blink at, condone, disregard, excuse, forgive, handle, ig, let go, let off, let pass, let ride, live with, play past, pooh pooh, stand for, stomach, string along, take, tune out, whitewash, wink at

Concept: approval

Source: Roget's Interactive Thesaurus, First Edition (v 1.0.0)

Copyright � 2003 by Lexico Publishing Group, LLC. All rights reserved.

Entry: pity

Function: verb

Definition: feel sorry

Synonyms: ache, be sympathetic, bleed for, comfort, commiserate, compassion, compassionate, condole, console, feel for, feel with, forgive, give quarter, grant amnesty, grieve with, have compassion, identify with, lament with, pardon, relent, reprieve, show forgiveness, show sympathy, solace, soothe, spare, sympathize, understand, weep for