condone

[ kuhn-dohn ]

verb (used with object)

, con·doned, con·don·ing.

1. to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like):

   The government condoned the computer hacking among rival corporations.

2. to give tacit approval to:

   By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.

3. to pardon or forgive (an offense); excuse:

   His employers are willing to condone the exaggerations they uncovered in his résumé.

4. to cause the condonation of; justify the pardoning of (an offense).
5. Law. to forgive or act so as to imply forgiveness of (a violation of the marriage vow):

   His spouse condoned his infidelity from the early years of their marriage.

condone

/ kənˈdəʊn; ˌkɒndəʊˈneɪʃən /

verb

1. to overlook or forgive (an offence)
2. law (esp of a spouse) to pardon or overlook (an offence, usually adultery)

Derived Forms

• conˈdonable, adjective
• condonation, noun
• conˈdoner, noun

Other Words From

• con·dona·ble adjective
• con·doner noun
• uncon·doned adjective
• uncon·doning adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of condone¹

First recorded in 1615–25, but in general currency from its use in the British Divorce Act of 1857 (see condone def 5 ); from Latin condōnāre “to absolve, grant pardon,” equivalent to con- “with, together” + dōnāre “to give”; con-, donate

Word History and Origins

Origin of condone¹

C19: from Latin condōnāre to remit a debt, from com- (intensive) + dōnāre to donate

Example Sentences

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said that while farmers felt "betrayed" the union did not condone direct action such as withholding food from supermarkets.

From BBC

Links between the agencies and the killers “went unchecked for many years and was actively concealed, condoned, protected, and facilitated by government agents”, the lawsuit says.

From BBC

“We do not condone the behavior that occurred, and an immediate investigation has been launched.”

From Los Angeles Times

And while she doesn’t condone murder, she believes they deserve a second chance because of the alleged abuse.

From Los Angeles Times

Conversely, destructive behavior proliferates in communities that condone it.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• excuse
• forget
• forgive
• ignore
• wink at