Condone

/kənˈdoʊn/ · verb

Meaning

(transitive) To forgive, excuse or overlook (something that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or generally disliked)..

Definitions by Sense

1. (transitive) To forgive, excuse or overlook (something that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or generally disliked).
2. (transitive) To allow, accept or permit (something that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or generally disliked).
3. (transitive, law) To forgive (marital infidelity or other marital offense).

Example Sentences

‘Then the father has a great fight with his terrible conscience,’ said Munday with granite seriousness. ‘Should he make a row with the police[…]? Or should he say nothing about it and condone brutality for fear of appearing in the newspapers?

Rule-utilitarianism is unlikely to condone torturing a child, but it does imply that the torturing of a child is less evil if the torturer shares his pleasure with other sadists-perhaps by inviting an audience, or broadcasting it on the Internet.

Synonyms for condone

Antonyms for condone

Related Words

Word Forms

• condones
• condoning
• condoned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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