Definition of CONDONING (original) (raw)
: to regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
a government accused of condoning racism
condone corruption in politics
Did you know?
Since some folks don't condone even minor usage slips, you might want to get the meaning of this word straight. Although English speakers sometimes use condone with the intended meaning "approve of" or "encourage," the more established meaning is closer to "pardon" or "overlook." Condone comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." Condonare in turn combines the Latin prefix con-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give" or "to grant." Not surprisingly, donare is also the source of our words donate and pardon.
Synonyms
Choose the Right Synonym for condone
excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress.
excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these.
excused them for interrupting
Often the term implies extenuating circumstances.
injustice excuses strong responses
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
pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense.
forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings.
could not forgive their rudeness
Examples of condone in a Sentence
"I don't condone violence, and I think 'gangsta rap' should be outlawed," says [designer Tommy] Hilfiger … —
Joshua Levine, Forbes, 21 Apr. 1997 Without waiting for Momma's thanks, he rode out of the yard, sure that things were as they should be and that he was a gentle squire, saving those deserving serfs from the laws of the land, which he condoned. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969 And then she told him all—told him the truth word by word, without attempting to shield herself or condone her error. —Edgar Rice Burroughs, Tarzan of the Apes, 1912
a government that has been accused of condoning racism he is too quick to condone his friend's faults
Recent Examples on the Web Zoë Kravitz is speaking out on the ongoing debate over whether someone can be a fan of a controversial artist’s work but not condone their actions. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2024 In March 2022, Google also paused monetization of any content exploiting, condoning, or dismissing Russia's war with Ukraine. —Ashley Belanger, Ars Technica, 12 Aug. 2024 No sane person of any affiliation would condone such violence. —Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 July 2024 The ruling noted the SJC doesn't dispute the details of the case or condone what happened. —Steph Solis, Axios, 17 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for condone 
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'condone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Latin condonare to absolve, from com- + donare to give — more at donation
First Known Use
1805, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of condone was in 1805
Dictionary Entries Near condone
Cite this Entry
“Condone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condone. Accessed 19 Sep. 2024.
Share
More from Merriam-Webster on condone
Last Updated: 25 Aug 2024 - Updated example sentences
Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!