forgiveness

[fer-giv-nis]

See more synonyms for forgiveness on Thesaurus.com

noun

act of forgiving; state of being forgiven.
disposition or willingness to forgive.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for forgiveness

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

Historical Examples

If you have forfeited man's respect and esteem, there is a God with whom there is mercy and forgiveness.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
I prayed for forgiveness, and asked God to direct and protect me.
Biography of a Slave
Charles Thompson
And I am not going to ask your forgiveness, or anything of that sort.
K
Mary Roberts Rinehart
Special assurance of forgiveness is also given in Confession and Absolution.
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
Joseph Stump
The impenitent have no promise of forgiveness, and therefore cannot have faith.
An Explanation of Luther's Small Catechism
Joseph Stump

British Dictionary definitions for forgiveness

forgiveness

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

n.

Old English forgiefnes "pardon, forgiveness, indulgence;" see forgive + -ness.

forgiveness

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}forgiveness

Related Words

Examples from the Web for forgiveness

Contemporary Examples

Distraught, confused and ashamed, both men broke down in the courtroom, weeping like children and begging for forgiveness.

If it goes against their religion, all they have to do is ask for forgiveness.

Not literally, but that was the impression I got; the hug was all-encompassing compassion, forgiveness and acceptance.

She said she would also tell the pope to focus first on prevention, instead of forgiveness.

Francis met with rape victims Monday and begged for their forgiveness.

Historical Examples

If you have forfeited man's respect and esteem, there is a God with whom there is mercy and forgiveness.

I prayed for forgiveness, and asked God to direct and protect me.

And I am not going to ask your forgiveness, or anything of that sort.

Special assurance of forgiveness is also given in Confession and Absolution.

The impenitent have no promise of forgiveness, and therefore cannot have faith.

forgiveness

Word Origin and History for forgiveness

n.

Origin of forgiveness