To condone means to accept or allow bad behavior without trying to stop it. For example, if a teacher sees a student bullying another child but does nothing, people may say the teacher condones bullying.
The word is often used when people talk about rules, morals, laws, and social behavior.
Learning synonyms of condone helps you express ideas in different ways. You can use words like tolerate, overlook, excuse, and permit to explain how someone reacts to bad actions.
However, each word has a slightly different meaning. Some suggest approval, while others mean allowing something to happen without taking action.
This guide explains the meaning, origin, pronunciation, and grammar of condone. It also shares 30 synonyms with simple meanings and examples.
You will learn how to choose the right word for schoolwork, daily conversations, and professional writing.
Meaning of Condone
Condone (verb): To accept or allow bad or wrong behavior without trying to stop or punish it.
Examples
- I do not condone bullying at school.
- The manager seemed to condone the workers’ rude behavior.
Connotative Meaning
Connotation (the feelings or ideas a word suggests beyond its basic meaning):
- Positive tone: Condone is rarely positive, but it may suggest forgiveness or understanding in some contexts.
- Negative tone: It often suggests that someone allows harmful, unfair, or wrong behavior.
- Neutral tone: It can describe a person’s response to an action without directly stating their own moral judgment.
Etymology
The word condone comes from Latin condonare, meaning “to give away,” “to remit,” or “to forgive.” It entered English in the 19th century.
- Old English (450–1100): The word condone was not in common use during this period.
- Middle English (1100–1500): It was not a standard English word during this period.
- Modern English (1500–Present): Condone entered English in the 19th century. It developed the sense of forgiving or overlooking an offense, and later became common in discussions of allowing bad behavior.
Pronunciation (IPA)
- IPA: /kənˈdəʊn/ (British English); /kənˈdoʊn/ (American English)
- Syllables: con-done
- Word stress: The second syllable is stressed.
Affixation Pattern of Condone
- Root: condone
- Prefix: None in modern English. The word comes from the Latin condonare.
- Suffix: None in the base form.
Word Formations
- Condone (verb): To accept or overlook bad behavior.
- Condones (verb): The third-person singular form.
- Condoned (verb): The past tense and past participle.
- Condoning (verb): The present participle or gerund.
- Condonation (noun): The act of forgiving or overlooking an offense; a rare, formal word.
- Condoner (noun): A person who condones something; uncommon.
30 Synonyms of Condone With Meaning & Examples
These words are close in meaning to condone, but they are not always interchangeable. Choose one based on the action and context.
1. Tolerate (Verb)
Meaning: To allow something unpleasant or wrong to continue.
Examples:
- We will not tolerate cheating in class.
- The coach refused to tolerate rude behavior.
2. Overlook (Verb)
Meaning: To ignore a mistake or offense instead of taking action.
Examples:
- The teacher chose to overlook his first mistake.
- We should not overlook unfair treatment.
3. Excuse (Verb)
Meaning: To forgive or give a reason for someone’s wrong action.
Examples:
- His busy schedule does not excuse his rude words.
- She tried to excuse her friend’s behavior.
4. Permit (Verb)
Meaning: To allow something to happen.
Examples:
- The school does not permit bullying.
- Parents should not permit dangerous behavior.
5. Allow (Verb)
Meaning: To let someone do something or let something happen.
Examples:
- The manager would not allow dishonest work.
- We should not allow people to break safety rules.
6. Accept (Verb)
Meaning: To agree to receive or live with something, even when it may be wrong.
Examples:
- The group refused to accept his rude behavior.
- Some people accept unfair rules without question.
7. Approve (Verb)
Meaning: To think that an action or choice is good or right.
Examples:
- I do not approve of cheating.
- The parents approved of the plan.
Note: Approve is closer to showing support than simply allowing something.
8. Sanction (Verb)
Meaning: To officially allow or approve an action.
Examples:
- The board sanctioned the new policy.
- The rules do not sanction unfair treatment.
Note: As a verb, sanction can mean authorize; as a noun, it can also mean a penalty.
9. Endorse (Verb)
Meaning: To publicly support an idea, action, or person.
Examples:
- The leader refused to endorse the unfair rule.
- She endorsed the plan to improve safety.
10. Justify (Verb)
Meaning: To give reasons to show that an action seems right.
Examples:
- Nothing can justify hurting another person.
- He tried to justify his rude reply.
11. Forgive (Verb)
Meaning: To stop feeling angry with someone for a wrong action.
Examples:
- She chose to forgive his mistake.
- Forgiving someone does not mean you condone their actions.
12. Pardon (Verb)
Meaning: To forgive an offense or excuse someone from punishment.
Examples:
- The judge pardoned the offender.
- Please pardon my mistake.
13. Absolve (Verb)
Meaning: To free someone from blame or guilt.
Examples:
- His apology did not absolve him of blame.
- The report did not absolve the manager of responsibility.
14. Exonerate (Verb)
Meaning: To show that someone is not guilty of a wrong action.
Examples:
- New evidence helped exonerate the suspect.
- The review did not exonerate the company.
Note: Exonerate means to clear someone of blame, not to allow wrongdoing.
15. Disregard (Verb)
Meaning: To pay no attention to something.
Examples:
- The manager chose to disregard the warning.
- We must not disregard safety rules.
16. Ignore (Verb)
Meaning: To pay no attention to a person, action, or problem.
Examples:
- Do not ignore signs of bullying.
- He ignored the warning about the risks.
17. Neglect (Verb)
Meaning: To fail to give something the care or attention it needs.
Examples:
- The school must not neglect reports of bullying.
- The manager neglected his duty to act.
18. Oversee (Verb)
Meaning: To supervise or watch over a task or activity.
Examples:
- She oversees the safety team.
- The director oversees how rules are followed.
Note: Oversee is not a direct synonym of condone. It is related to supervision and may fit only in certain contexts.
19. Countenance (Verb)
Meaning: To accept or tolerate something, especially something wrong.
Examples:
- The school will not countenance cheating.
- The leader refused to countenance corruption.
20. Sanction (Noun)
Meaning: An official penalty or restriction imposed for breaking a rule.
Examples:
- The company faced sanctions for breaking the law.
- The government announced new sanctions.
Note: This noun is an antonym-related concept in some contexts, not a synonym of condone.
21. Acquiesce (Verb)
Meaning: To accept something without protest, even if you disagree.
Examples:
- He acquiesced to the unfair demand.
- They acquiesced rather than challenge the decision.
22. Capitulate (Verb)
Meaning: To give in after resisting or opposing something.
Examples:
- The manager capitulated to the pressure.
- She refused to capitulate to unfair demands.
23. Concede (Verb)
Meaning: To admit that something is true or give in on a point.
Examples:
- He conceded that the rule was unfair.
- The team conceded defeat.
24. Defer (Verb)
Meaning: To yield to another person’s judgment or wishes.
Examples:
- She deferred to the committee’s decision.
- He deferred to his supervisor’s judgment.
25. Indulge (Verb)
Meaning: To allow someone’s wishes or behavior, sometimes too much.
Examples:
- The parents indulged their child’s bad habits.
- Do not indulge rude behavior.
26. Humor (Verb)
Meaning: To go along with someone’s wishes to keep them happy or avoid conflict.
Examples:
- She humored his strange request.
- The manager humored the guest to avoid an argument.
27. Uphold (Verb)
Meaning: To support or maintain a rule, law, or principle.
Examples:
- The court upheld the law.
- Teachers must uphold school rules.
Note: Uphold usually means support a rule, so it does not mean condone wrongdoing.
28. Countenance (Noun)
Meaning: A person’s face or facial expression.
Examples:
- Her countenance showed surprise.
- His calm countenance hid his worry.
Note: This is a different meaning of the word and is not a synonym of condone.
29. Overindulge (Verb)
Meaning: To allow too much of something, often a pleasure or habit.
Examples:
- Parents should not overindulge bad habits.
- He tended to overindulge his children.
30. Let Slide (Verb Phrase)
Meaning: To ignore a mistake or offense instead of dealing with it.
Examples:
- The teacher would not let cheating slide.
- The boss let the small error slide.
Prototype Meaning
The most typical meaning of condone is to accept or overlook behavior that is wrong, harmful, or against the rules. People often use it when someone has the power to object, correct, or punish an action but chooses not to do so.
For example, if a manager knows that an employee is bullying a coworker and does nothing, the manager may be said to condone the behavior.
The word does not always mean that the person agrees with the action. It often means that they allow it to continue without taking steps to stop it.
Prototype Categorization
The synonyms above can be grouped by the kind of response they describe. This helps writers choose words that match the exact situation.
- Allowing or permitting: Allow, permit, tolerate, countenance. Use these when someone lets an action continue.
- Ignoring or failing to act: Overlook, ignore, disregard, neglect, let slide. Use these when someone does not address a problem.
- Showing support or approval: Approve, endorse, sanction (verb). Use these when someone openly supports or officially authorizes an action.
- Excusing or forgiving: Excuse, forgive, pardon, absolve. Use these when someone reduces blame or punishment.
- Defending or explaining: Justify. Use this when someone gives reasons to make an action seem acceptable.
- Giving in or accepting pressure: Acquiesce, capitulate, concede, defer. Use these when someone yields or accepts a decision.
- Allowing too much: Indulge, humor, overindulge. Use these when someone gives in to wishes or permits behavior that may be unwise.
- Related but not direct synonyms: Exonerate, oversee, uphold, and sanction (noun). These words have distinct meanings and should not replace condone in every sentence.
Semantic groups help writers avoid awkward word choices. For example, tolerate suggests allowing something to continue, while endorse suggests active support. Choosing the right word makes your writing clearer.
Antonyms of Condone
1. Condemn (Verb)
Meaning: To state strongly that something is wrong.
2. Oppose (Verb)
Meaning: To act against an idea or behavior.
3. Prohibit (Verb)
Meaning: To officially forbid something.
4. Forbid (Verb)
Meaning: To order someone not to do something.
5. Denounce (Verb)
Meaning: To criticize something openly and strongly.
6. Censure (Verb)
Meaning: To express formal disapproval of someone’s actions.
7. Reject (Verb)
Meaning: To refuse to accept or support something.
8. Punish (Verb)
Meaning: To make someone face a penalty for wrongdoing.
9. Challenge (Verb)
Meaning: To question or oppose an action or decision.
10. Disapprove (Verb)
Meaning: To believe that an action is wrong or unsuitable.
Short Questions and Answers
What does condone mean?
Condone means to accept or allow wrong behavior without trying to stop or punish it.
When should condone be used?
Use condone when someone allows bad behavior to continue or fails to object to it.
Is condone positive or negative?
It is usually negative because it often refers to allowing harmful or unfair behavior.
How is condone different from similar words?
Condone means to allow or overlook wrongdoing. Tolerate means to put up with something, while endorse means to show support. Forgive means to stop blaming someone for a wrong action.
Conclusion
Learning the meaning of condone and its synonyms can improve your English vocabulary. Words such as tolerate, overlook, excuse, and permit help you explain different responses to wrong behavior.
However, these words have different meanings, so it is important to choose the one that fits your message.
Using the right synonym makes your writing clear, natural, and less repetitive. It also helps you speak with greater confidence in school, at work, and in daily life.
Try learning a few new words each day and writing your own sentences with them. Pay attention to how each word is used in context.
With regular practice, you will become better at choosing precise words and expressing your ideas in English.
