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View synonyms for forgive

forgive

[fer-giv]

verb (used with object)

forgave, forgiven, forgiving. 
  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)

forgave, forgiven, forgiving. 
  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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Other Word Forms

  • forgiver noun
  • forgivably adverb
  • forgivable adjective
  • half-forgiven adjective
  • preforgive verb (used with object)
  • unforgivable adjective
  • unforgivableness noun
  • unforgivably adverb
  • unforgiven 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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Over the past eight days you would have been forgiven for thinking all English Ashes hopes were lost.

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Sometimes they disagree with me on politics but we’re kind of old friends, we came up together, and they forgive me.

But, you'd be forgiven for having forgotten what Eleven and her bike-peddling pals were up to when we were last in their troubled neighbourhood.

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However, the much-travelled Marseille forward was not so forgiving after the break, as Newcastle paid a heavy price for a sloppy kick-off.

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She said it was "exciting to be a part" of it and that her American friends would "never forgive me if I didn't come down".

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forgingforgive and forget