forgive
verb (used with object)
to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
forgiven
-
past participleof forgive.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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.
But what’s happened since is so shocking that you’d be forgiven for wondering if Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski had been cloned in a lab at MIT.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 21, 2026
In other versions of income-driven repayment, borrowers could have their loans forgiven after 20 or 25 years.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
Interestingly, reading the two cases back-to-back, you might be forgiven for not recognizing the similarities.
From Slate ● Jul. 1, 2026
Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon would be forgiven if they were pretty unhappy at Williams right now, although they have been very measured in their public comments this year so far.
From BBC ● Jun. 30, 2026
It looked as if her piracy was forgiven, or at least forgotten.
From "The Golden Compass" by Philip Pullman
