- present participle of forgive.
forgiving
Americanadjective
-
disposed to forgive; indicating forgiveness.
a forgiving soul; a forgiving smile.
-
tolerant.
The mountain is not forgiving of inexperienced climbers.
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of forgiving
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.
“The market is still willing to believe in AI as a secular theme, but it is becoming less forgiving of any signs that returns may be deferred,” he said.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 26, 2026
But his personal life stemmed from not ever forgiving his mother for leaving him behind when he was little.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
The next 100 days may be less forgiving.
From Barron's • Jun. 7, 2026
"I felt that society was not forgiving, even though you try your hardest to show people that you have changed," she said.
From BBC • May 26, 2026
Often the war of wills goes on for quite a time, I squinching my eyes shut and he forgiving me, but he nearly always wins.
From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
