forgive

Meaning

  1. To pardon (someone); to waive any negative feeling towards or desire for punishment or retribution against.
  2. To pardon for (something); to waive any negative feeling over or retribution for.
  3. To waive or remit (a debt), to absolve from payment or compensation of.
  4. To accord forgiveness.
  5. To look past; to look beyond.
  6. To redeem; to offset the bad effects of something.

Concepts

forgive

pardon

excuse

condone

remit

absolve

tolerate

overlook

release

exculpate

show mercy

grant forgiveness

forgiveness

justify

let off

exonerate

relent

amnesty

free

solve

spare

leave

release from curse

make excuses

validate

vindicate

acquit

show mercy to

make concessions

exempt

allow

abstain from

refrain from

be at peace

be reconciled

come to terms

forgive and forget

condome

unbend

finish

help

cope with

level

detach

let loose

open

resolve

untie

complete

end

liberate

make real

redeem

save

set free

sympathize with

forgive me

bless

reconcile

apologize

have mercy

apologise

beg for mercy

freed

accord

bestow

distribute

give

reprieve

consider

indulge

Frequency

A2
Pronounced as (IPA)
/fə(ɹ)ˈɡɪv/
Etymology

Alteration (due to give) of Middle English foryiven, forȝiven, from Old English forġiefan (“to forgive, to give”), from Proto-Germanic *fragebaną (“to give away; give up; release; forgive”), equivalent to for- + give (etymologically for- + yive). Cognate with Scots forgeve, forgif, forgie (“to forgive”), West Frisian ferjaan (“to forgive”), Dutch vergeven (“to forgive”), German vergeben (“to forgive”), Icelandic fyrirgefa (“to forgive”).

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