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View synonyms for forgive

forgive

[ fer-giv ]

verb (used with object)

, for·gave [fer-, geyv], for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
  1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
  2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
  3. to grant pardon to (a person).

    Synonyms: acquit, absolve

  4. to cease to feel resentment against:

    to forgive one's enemies.

  5. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of:

    to forgive the interest owed on a loan.



verb (used without object)

, for·gave [fer-, geyv], for·giv·en, for·giv·ing.
  1. to pardon an offense or an offender.

forgive

/ fəˈɡɪv /

verb

  1. to cease to blame or hold resentment against (someone or something)
  2. to grant pardon for (a mistake, wrongdoing, etc)
  3. tr to free or pardon (someone) from penalty
  4. tr to free from the obligation of (a debt, payment, etc)
“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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Derived Forms

  • forˈgiver, noun
  • forˈgivably, adverb
  • forˈgivable, adjective
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Other Words From

  • for·giva·ble adjective
  • for·giver noun
  • half-for·given adjective
  • prefor·give verb (used with object) preforgave preforgiven preforgiving
  • unfor·giva·ble adjective
  • unfor·giva·ble·ness noun
  • unfor·giva·bly adverb
  • unfor·given adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of forgive1

First recorded before 900; for- + give; replacing Middle English foryiven, Old English forgiefan
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Word History and Origins

Origin of forgive1

Old English forgiefan ; see for- , give
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Synonym Study

See excuse.
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Example Sentences

“Please forgive me. I am so, so sorry,” it said.

From BBC

I think we forgive, but we don’t forget.

Still, people couldn’t forgive Biden for inflation, even though he had nothing to do with it and they told pollsters they were worse off than under Trump.

From Salon

Over the last year you could be forgiven for thinking things could not sink any lower.

From BBC

She urges people to "always forgive yourself for whatever mistakes you made. You can never change your past - but you can change your future".

From BBC

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forgingforgive and forget