forgiveness

[ fer-giv-nis ]

/ fərˈgɪv nɪs /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR forgiveness ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

act of forgiving; state of being forgiven.

disposition or willingness to forgive.

Nearby words

Origin of forgiveness

before 900; Middle English forgifenesse, Old English forgifennys. See forgive, -ness

Related formspre·for·give·ness, noun

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

Examples from the Web for forgiveness

Distraught, confused and ashamed, both men broke down in the courtroom, weeping like children and begging for forgiveness.
Did Picasso Try to Steal the Mona Lisa?|Nick Mafi|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
If it goes against their religion, all they have to do is ask for forgiveness.
Christian Right-Wingers Love Porn: New Studies Suggest the Bible Belt Has A Kinky Side|Aurora Snow|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not literally, but that was the impression I got; the hug was all-encompassing compassion, forgiveness and acceptance.
Patted Down by India’s Hugging Saint|Daniel Genis|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She said she would also tell the pope to focus first on prevention, instead of forgiveness.
Sex-Abuse Victims to Pope: Stop Begging for Forgiveness and Just Stop the Abuse|Barbie Latza Nadeau|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Francis met with rape victims Monday and begged for their forgiveness.
Sex-Abuse Victims to Pope: Stop Begging for Forgiveness and Just Stop the Abuse|Barbie Latza Nadeau|July 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is when our forgiveness is tainted that we anticipate the “sweetness” of revenge.
My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year|John Henry Jowett
My father's forgiveness must already be within the walls of this town.
The Robbers|Friedrich Schiller
She smiled softly up to Georgiana's cold eyes, to get a look of forgiveness for her fiery speaking.
Sandra Belloni, Complete|George Meredith
But, when he asks her forgiveness, she overwhelms him with foul abuse.
Tolstoy|L. Winstanley
"We 'll not talk of forgiveness any more on either side," she returned wearily.
The Mayor of Warwick|Herbert M. Hopkins

British Dictionary definitions for forgiveness

forgiveness

/ (fəˈɡɪvnɪs) /

noun

the act of forgiving or the state of being forgiven

willingness to forgive

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 forgiveness