forgive

verb for·give \fər-ˈgiv, fȯr-\

: to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) : to stop blaming (someone)

: to stop feeling anger about (something) : to forgive someone for (something wrong)

: to stop requiring payment of (money that is owed)

for·gave\-ˈgāv\for·giv·en\-ˈgi-vən\for·giv·ing

Full Definition of FORGIVE

transitive verb

a : to give up resentment of or claim to requital for <forgive an insult>

b : to grant relief from payment of <forgive a debt>

: to cease to feel resentment against (an offender) : pardon <forgive one's enemies>

intransitive verb

: to grant forgiveness

— for·giv·able \-ˈgi-və-bəl\ adjective

— for·giv·ably \-blē\ adverb

— for·giv·er noun

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Origin of FORGIVE

Middle English, from Old English forgifan, from for- + gifan to give

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FORGIVE

Synonyms: pardon

Antonyms: resent

Synonym Discussion of FORGIVE

excuse, condone, pardon, forgive mean to exact neither punishment nor redress. excuse may refer to specific acts especially in social or conventional situations or the person responsible for these <excuse an interruption> <excused them for interrupting>. Often the term implies extenuating circumstances <injustice excuses strong responses>. condone implies that one overlooks without censure behavior (as dishonesty or violence) that involves a serious breach of a moral, ethical, or legal code, and the term may refer to the behavior or to the agent responsible for it <a society that condones alcohol but not narcotics>. pardon implies that one remits a penalty due for an admitted or established offense <pardon a criminal>. forgive implies that one gives up all claim to requital and to resentment or vengeful feelings <could not forgive their rudeness>.