SATVocab Logo
C/Condone
All C words
Practice This Word
Visual memory aid for Condone

Condone

To excuse or overlook an offense; to forgive, usually by not condemning it.

verb
💡

Imagine This

Students who have not done their homework on time would like their teachers to excuse or forgive them.

🔊

Sounds Like

kən-DOHN

👀

Looks Like

Looks like 'con' + 'done' — two familiar words combined

📝

Remember This

Condone does not always mean approval; it often means tolerating or overlooking wrongdoing. It is related to forgiving or excusing, but carries a nuance of not condemning the action.

📚

Other Forms

condonedpast tense
condoningpresent participle / gerund
condonationnoun
condonesthird-person singular
🔗

Connect With

forgive, excuse, overlook, tolerate, pardon; approve (in some contexts)

📌

Note

Avoid confusing condone with condemn. Condone means to tolerate or overlook a behavior; condemn means to express strong disapproval or punishment.

🧠

Study Deeper

Examples
  • The principal refused to condone cheating on exams.
  • The university will not condone plagiarism and has penalties for it.
Synonyms
forgiveexcuseoverlooktoleratepardon
Antonyms
condemndenounceprohibit
Etymology

From Latin condonare, condonare = con- (together) + donare (to give); originally meaning to forgive or remit.

Mnemonic

Dont Condemn — Condone means not condemning; remember by the phrase 'Don't condemn it; condone it.'