condone

[kuh n-dohn]

verb (used with object), con·doned, con·don·ing.

to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like): The government condoned the computer hacking among rival corporations.

to give tacit approval to: By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.

to pardon or forgive (an offense); excuse: His employers are willing to condone the exaggerations they uncovered in his résumé.

to cause the condonation of; justify the pardoning of (an offense).

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.

Nearby words

Origin of condone

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

Related formscon·don·a·ble, adjectivecon·don·er, nounun·con·doned, adjectiveun·con·don·ing, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for condoned

Yet violent images are condoned in the “right” circumstances so long as they do not celebrate brutality.
Porn Stars Want to Know: Why Did Facebook Delete Me?|Aurora Snow|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The coaches thought that if it seemed like they condoned it, people wouldn't let their kids come play for Baylor.
Sham Classes and Crime Coverups Are the NCAA Normal|Robert Silverman|June 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Moreover, neither the Polish government in exile nor the leaders of the Home Army condoned anti-Semitic measures.
‘Generation War’ Lets World War II Germans Off Too Easily|Jack Schwartz|January 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The thought or notion that this kind of behavior is condoned or authorized is just absurd,” Sullivan said, almost scoffing.
Senate Panel Quizzes Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan on Colombian Prostitutes|Daniel Stone|May 23, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Afterward someone told the woman that Awlaki had condoned the attacks.
Anwar al-Awlaki Continues to Inspire Islamists|Tara McKelvey|November 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
The folly of which he had been guilty—and it was an undoubted folly and mistake—had been condoned and excused by the after life.
Glories of Spain|Charles W. Wood
No fault had been committed by Linda which had not already been made known to him and been condoned by him.
Linda Tressel|Anthony Trollope
Whatever crimes may be condoned in Alexander, it is difficult to extenuate this traffic with the Turks.
Renaissance in Italy, Volume 1 (of 7)|John Addington Symonds
In my boy heart I condoned its treachery and its giant sins.
The River and I|John G. Neihardt
Nowadays, since the smug-faced native teacher hath shown them the Right Way, such domestic troubles are condoned by—a dollar.
The Ebbing Of The Tide|Louis Becke

British Dictionary definitions for condoned

condone

verb (tr)

to overlook or forgive (an offence)

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

Derived Formscondonable, adjectivecondonation (ˌkɒndəʊˈneɪʃən), nouncondoner, noun

Word Origin for condone

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

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

Word Origin and History for condoned

condone

1857, from Latin condonare "to give up, remit, permit," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + donare "to give" (see donation). Originally a legal term in the Matrimonial Causes Act, which made divorce a civil matter in Britain. Related: Condoned; condoning.