condone

American  

[kuhn-dohn] / kənˈdoʊn /

verb (used with object)

condoned, condoning

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.

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condone British  

/ kənˈdəʊn, ˌkɒndəʊˈneɪʃən /

verb

1. to overlook or forgive (an offence)

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

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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”; see origin at con-, donate

Explanation

If you condone something, you allow it, approve of it, or at least can live with it. Some teachers condone chewing gum, and some don't. Things that are condoned are allowed, even if everyone isn't exactly thrilled about it. People often say, "I don't condone what he did, but I understand it." Condoning is like excusing something. People seem to talk more about things they don't condone than things they do condone. Your mom might say, "I don't condone you staying up till 10, but I know you need to read." That's a way of giving approval and not giving approval at the same time.

Example Sentences

“It’s complicated and its not something I would condone … but the more attention that Scientology gets, the worse it is for Scientology,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

While Newcastle's Eddie Howe added: "We don't condone racism in any form and the club will investigate."

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

“So even if they’re aware that they’re not supposed to condone the way people are speaking, or they shouldn’t be that way in those environments, they will condone it,” she said.

From Salon • Feb. 24, 2026

"This information in no way is meant to disparage or to condone or support or agree with any of the actions that occurred yesterday," he said.

From BBC • Jan. 9, 2026

From Jay in the Southeast: I stood up in a social studies class—the teacher wanted a discussion—and said I could never kill anyone or condone anyone who did kill anyone.

From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz

Related Words

• excuse
• forget
• forgive
• ignore
• wink at