pardon
1 of 2noun
par·don ˈpär-dᵊn 
1
: indulgence sense 4
2
: the excusing of an offense without exacting a penalty
offered a pardon to the draft evader
3
a
: a release from the legal penalties of an offense
b
: an official warrant of remission of penalty
a royal pardon later released him from a death sentence 
American Guide Series: Maryland
American Guide Series: Maryland4
: excuse or forgiveness for a fault, offense, or discourtesy
I beg your pardon
She asked my pardon for taking up so much of my time.
pardon
2 of 2verb
pardoned; pardoning ˈpärd-niŋ
ˈpär-dᵊn-iŋ
transitive verb
1
a
: to absolve from the consequences of a fault or crime
b
: to allow (an offense) to pass without punishment : forgive
c
: to relieve of a penalty improperly assessed
2
: tolerate
Synonyms
Noun
- absolution
- amnesty
- forgiveness
- remission
- remittal
Verb
- forgive
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The governor granted him a pardon. He asked my pardon for taking so much of my time. Verb he eventually pardoned his sister after she apologized I'm willing to pardon a little sloppiness of dress in such a kind and loving person.
Recent Examples on the Web Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 The Manhattan district attorney’s office, then headed by Cyrus Vance Jr., began its own investigation after the presidential pardon, which covered only federal charges. Rebecca Davis O’brien, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Hutchinson testified that Perry spoke to her directly about a pardon, which Perry also denied. Kim Bellware, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 There has been a decades-long call for a posthumous presidential pardon of Garvey by his living descendants and supporters. Melissa Noel, Essence, 17 Aug. 2022 She would later be granted Canada's first posthumous pardon, have her own postage stamp and become the first Black person with a solo portrait on Canadian currency. ABC News, 1 Feb. 2022 The plan also includes a posthumous pardon granted to those who have died before the amendment's ratification and within 12 months after. Jay Valle, NBC News, 5 Jan. 2022 The plan will also grant a posthumous pardon to anyone who has died before the amendment comes into force or up to 12 months afterward. Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2022 But in Floyd's case, his family and supporters said a posthumous pardon in Texas would show a commitment to accountability. Paul J. Weber, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2021 Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2022 The letter, which was obtained by The Post and has not been previously reported, asked Trump to pardon not only Bannon but his three co-defendants in the fraud case. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 10 July 2022 But non-invasive procedures on the face are more—pardon the pun—on the cutting edge. Rachel King, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2022 Moon Man, which should end the weekend just over $355 million is, pardon the cliché, the movie China needed right now. Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Yet as daunting as these numbers are, adding an element of chance is the real game changer (pardon the pun). Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2022 Tapes released by the Washington Post, however indicate that Stone was angered by Trump’s unwillingness to pardon him and other allies in the wake of the Capitol riot. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 Trump pardoned Bannon on his final night in office, but declined to pardon two other men Bannon was initially charged with, both of whom recently pleaded guilty. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 18 July 2022 Ismene asks Antigone to pardon her for refusing to help with the rebellious act of burying Polynices. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 See More
Noun
The only recourse is asking for a gubernatorial pardon, a process that, though important in the justice system, can be long and uncertain, especially when politicians are often hesitant to grant clemency during election years, experts say. Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 14 Sep. 2022 The Manhattan district attorney’s office, then headed by Cyrus Vance Jr., began its own investigation after the presidential pardon, which covered only federal charges. Rebecca Davis O’brien, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2022 Hutchinson testified that Perry spoke to her directly about a pardon, which Perry also denied. Kim Bellware, Anchorage Daily News, 10 Aug. 2022 There has been a decades-long call for a posthumous presidential pardon of Garvey by his living descendants and supporters. Melissa Noel, Essence, 17 Aug. 2022 She would later be granted Canada's first posthumous pardon, have her own postage stamp and become the first Black person with a solo portrait on Canadian currency. ABC News, 1 Feb. 2022 The plan also includes a posthumous pardon granted to those who have died before the amendment's ratification and within 12 months after. Jay Valle, NBC News, 5 Jan. 2022 The plan will also grant a posthumous pardon to anyone who has died before the amendment comes into force or up to 12 months afterward. Washington Post, 4 Jan. 2022 But in Floyd's case, his family and supporters said a posthumous pardon in Texas would show a commitment to accountability. Paul J. Weber, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2021 Verb
The letter, which was obtained by The Post and has not been previously reported, asked Trump to pardon not only Bannon but his three co-defendants in the fraud case. Anchorage Daily News, 11 July 2022 The letter, which was obtained by The Post and has not been previously reported, asked Trump to pardon not only Bannon but his three co-defendants in the fraud case. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 10 July 2022 But non-invasive procedures on the face are more—pardon the pun—on the cutting edge. Rachel King, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2022 Moon Man, which should end the weekend just over $355 million is, pardon the cliché, the movie China needed right now. Scott Mendelson, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 Yet as daunting as these numbers are, adding an element of chance is the real game changer (pardon the pun). Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2022 Tapes released by the Washington Post, however indicate that Stone was angered by Trump’s unwillingness to pardon him and other allies in the wake of the Capitol riot. Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 21 July 2022 Trump pardoned Bannon on his final night in office, but declined to pardon two other men Bannon was initially charged with, both of whom recently pleaded guilty. Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 18 July 2022 Ismene asks Antigone to pardon her for refusing to help with the rebellious act of burying Polynices. Rachel Hadas, The Conversation, 8 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French pardun, pardoun, from parduner
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French parduner, from Late Latin perdonare to grant freely, from Latin per- thoroughly + donare to give — more at parboil, donation
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing pardon
Kids Definition
pardon 1 of 2
noun
par·don ˈpär-dᵊn
1
: forgiveness for wrong or rude behavior
2
: the act of freeing from legal punishment
pardon
2 of 2verb
pardoned; pardoning
1
: to free from penalty for a fault or crime The prisoner was eventually pardoned.
2
: to allow (a wrong act) to pass without punishment : forgive
Legal Definition
pardon
noun
par·don
1
: a release from the legal penalties of an offense
2
: an official warrant of remission of penalty as an act of clemency compare commute
3
: excuse or forgiveness for a fault or offense
pardon 1 of 2
noun
as in forgiveness
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense the criminal is hoping for a presidential pardon Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- forgiveness
- amnesty
- absolution
- immunity
- remission
- parole
- remittal
- acquittal
- vindication
- exoneration
- clemency
- commutation
- exculpation
- exemption
- leniency
- indemnity
- impunity
- condonation
- mercy
- reprieve
- commuting
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- punishment
- sentence
- conviction
- penalty
- retribution
- charge
- assessment
- condemnation
- imposition
- fine
- chastisement
- castigation
- levying
- chastening
pardon
2 of 2verb
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
- forgive
- excuse
- exonerate
- ignore
- absolve
- vindicate
- acquit
- exculpate
- disregard
- remit
- shrive
- pass over
- release
- redeem
- liberate
- condone
- clear
- discharge
- shrug off
- unburden
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- hate
- resent
- redress
- despise
- punish
- revenge
- loathe
- dislike
- detest
- avenge
- abhor
- retaliate
- penalize
- execrate
- abominate
- requite
- discipline
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
- forgive
- ignore
- excuse
- overlook
- explain
- justify
- disregard
- discount
- pass over
- remit
- whitewash
- condone
- paper over
- shrug off
- forgive and forget
- overpass
- exonerate
- blink (at)
- gloss (over)
- brush (aside or off)
- absolve
- exculpate
- rationalize
- gloze (over)
- vindicate
- wink (at)
- acquit
- close one's eyes to
- waive
- clear
- wave (aside or off)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- mind
- note
- heed
- mark
- object (to)
Synonym Chooser
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
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
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
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