forgive
to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
to grant pardon to (a person).
to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
to pardon an offense or an offender.
Origin of forgive
1synonym study For forgive
Other words for forgive
Other words from forgive
- for·giv·a·ble, adjective
- for·giv·er, noun
- half-for·giv·en, adjective
- pre·for·give, verb (used with object) pre·for·gave, pre·for·giv·en, pre·for·giv·ing.
- un·for·giv·a·ble, adjective
- un·for·giv·a·ble·ness, noun
- un·for·giv·a·bly, adverb
- un·for·giv·en, adjective
Words that may be confused with forgive
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use forgive in a sentence
Their failure to defend democracy at this moment of testing cannot be excused and will not be forgiven.
Republicans, it isn’t too late to stand up for the nation | Michael Gerson | December 3, 2020 | Washington PostThe federal government promised that PPP loans could be entirely forgiven, making them far more attractive than what most businesses could find without government help.
More than half of emergency small-business funds went to larger businesses, new data shows | Jonathan O'Connell, Andrew Van Dam, Aaron Gregg, Alyssa Fowers | December 2, 2020 | Washington PostGiven our take, you would be forgiven for presuming that DoorDash is targeting an aggressive price.
DoorDash aims to add $11 billion to its valuation during public offering | Alex Wilhelm | November 30, 2020 | TechCrunchThe Democrat would like it to include funding for another round of stimulus checks, aid for small businesses, forgiving $10,000 per person of federal student loans, and increasing monthly Social Security checks by $200 per month.
When Looney announced his commitment to the net-zero target, many longtime energy investors could be forgiven for wincing.
BP is laying out its vision for a low-carbon future. Investors are skeptical | kdunn6 | September 28, 2020 | Fortune
Moviegoers who are looking for another Million Dollar Baby or Unforgiven are going to be disappointed, frankly.
He knew that the country which broke his military career and ridiculed his newspaper controversy was unforgiven by him.
Lord Ormont and his Aminta, Complete | George MeredithThe exiles knew that the just wrath of God rested upon them as a nation and that their sins were unforgiven.
The Prophet Ezekiel | Arno C. GaebeleinIt burdened his conscience with a galling weight, because by his fellows it remained long unforgiven.
St. Winifred's | Frederic W. FarrarOh, I could hardly help hoping he did not mean to let me go to bed unforgiven.
Mildred at Home | Martha FinleyAnd Father will be getting on with the Unforgiven, and come home any minute.
A Singular Life | Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
British Dictionary definitions for forgive
/ (fəˈɡɪv) /
to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
(tr) to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
(tr) to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
Origin of forgive
1Derived forms of forgive
- forgivable, adjective
- forgivably, adverb
- forgiver, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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