pardon

[ pahr-dn ]

noun

1. kind indulgence, as in forgiveness of an offense or discourtesy or in tolerance of a distraction or inconvenience:

   I beg your pardon, but which way is Spruce Street?

2. Law.
   1. a release from the penalty of an offense; a remission of penalty, as by a governor.
   2. the document by which such remission is declared.
3. forgiveness of a serious offense or offender.

   Synonyms: remission, absolution

4. Obsolete. a papal indulgence.

verb (used with object)

1. to make courteous allowance for or to excuse:

   Pardon me, madam.

   Antonyms: blame, censure

2. to release (a person) from liability for an offense.

   Synonyms: clear, acquit

3. to remit the penalty of (an offense):

   The governor will not pardon your crime.

   Synonyms: overlook, condone, absolve, forgive

interjection

1. (used, with rising inflection, as an elliptical form of I beg your pardon, as when asking a speaker to repeat something not clearly heard or understood.)

pardon

/ ˈpɑːdən /

verb

1. to excuse or forgive (a person) for (an offence, mistake, etc)

   to pardon someone

   to pardon a fault

noun

1. forgiveness; allowance
2. 1. release from punishment for an offence
   2. the warrant granting such release
3. a Roman Catholic indulgence

sentence substitute

1. Alsopardon meI beg your pardon
   1. sorry; excuse me
   2. what did you say?

Derived Forms

• ˈpardonably, adverb
• ˈpardonable, adjective
• ˈpardonless, adjective

Other Words From

• pardon·a·ble adjective
• pardon·a·ble·ness noun
• pardon·a·bly adverb
• pardon·less adjective
• non·pardon·ing adjective
• un·pardon·a·ble adjective
• un·pardon·a·bly adverb
• un·pardoned adjective
• un·pardon·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pardon¹

First recorded in 1300–50; (noun) Middle English pardoun(e), from Old French, Middle French pardon, pardun, perdun ( French pardon ), from Medieval Latin perdōnum ; (verb) Middle English pardonen, perdonen, from Anglo-French, Old French pardoner, perduner ( French pardonner), from Medieval Latin perdōnāre “to give freely, overlook,” equivalent to Latin intensive prefix per- per- + dōnāre “to give,” donation

Word History and Origins

Origin of pardon¹

C13: from Old French, from Medieval Latin perdōnum, from perdōnāre to forgive freely, from Latin per (intensive) + dōnāre to grant

Idioms and Phrases

see beg to differ ; excuse me .

Synonym Study

Pardon, amnesty, reprieve are nouns referring to the cancellation, or delay with the possibility of eventual cancellation, of a punishment or penalty assigned for the violation of a military regulation or a civil law; absolution from guilt is not implied, merely a remission of the penalty. A pardon is granted to an individual, often by the action of a government official such as a governor, president, or monarch, and releases the individual from any punishment due for the infraction of the law, as a death sentence, prison term, or fine: to be released from prison with a full pardon. An amnesty is a pardon granted to a group of persons for past offenses against a government; it often includes an assurance of no future prosecution: to grant amnesty to political prisoners; an amnesty period for delinquent taxpayers during which no penalties are assessed. A reprieve is a delay of impending punishment, especially a death sentence; it does not cancel or remit the punishment, it simply delays it, usually for a specific period of time or until a decision can be arrived at as to the possibility of pardon or reduction of sentence: a last-minute reprieve, allowing the filing of an appeal to the Supreme Court. See excuse.

Example Sentences

Former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday issued a modest defense of President Biden’s decision to pardon his son Hunter but suggested that Mr. Biden’s handling of the issue amounted to a self-inflicted wound.

From New York Times

His comments, at the DealBook Summit in Manhattan, came a few days after Mr. Biden issued a full and unconditional pardon of his son despite having repeatedly said he would not do so.

From New York Times

Mr. Clinton faced scrutiny for his own pardon decisions at the end of his time in office.

From New York Times

Justifying the decision to pardon his own son, President Joe Biden pointed to Republicans bringing “political pressure” on the criminal justice system, which he claimed had scuttled a plea deal and was why Hunter’s tax-and-gun issues risked landing him in prison for up to 25 years.

From Salon

Speaking to reporters after the sweeping pardon was issued, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre suggested that the president had made the decision to help his son because he also feared the retribution that could come under his successor.

From Salon

Related Words

• absolution
• allowance
• amnesty
• clemency
• mercy
• remission
• reprieve