condone
Americanverb (used with object)
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to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like).
The government condoned the computer hacking among rival corporations.
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to give tacit approval to.
By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.
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to pardon or forgive (an offense); excuse.
His employers are willing to condone the exaggerations they uncovered in his résumé.
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to cause the condonation of; justify the pardoning of (an offense).
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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.
verb
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to overlook or forgive (an offence)
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law (esp of a spouse) to pardon or overlook (an offence, usually adultery)
Other Word Forms
- condonable adjective
- condonation noun
- condoner noun
- uncondoned adjective
- uncondoning adjective
Etymology
Origin of condone
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
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While Newcastle's Eddie Howe added: "We don't condone racism in any form and the club will investigate."
From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026
The MSP said she did not condone his crimes, but that he needed support.
From BBC • Feb. 11, 2026
“One of our core values is respect and we don’t condone anyone saying anything inappropriate like that within our facilities,” he said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026
People don’t assume horror movie fans condone violence, so why would they assume that of horror music fans?
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 3, 2025
We increased our pace; neither of our mothers would condone us coming home late.
From "The Other Wes Moore: One Name, Two Fates" by Wes Moore
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
