- to overlook or forgive (an offence)
- (esp of a spouse) to pardon or overlook (an offence, usually adultery)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
con•done /kənˈdoʊn/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -doned, -don•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to disregard, overlook, or approve of (something unacceptable, illegal, etc.):We can't condone our children's violent acts.
con•done
(kən dōn′),USA pronunciation v.t., -doned, -don•ing.
con•don′a•ble, adj.
con•don′er, n.
- to disregard or overlook (something illegal, objectionable, or the like).
- to give tacit approval to:By his silence, he seemed to condone their behavior.
- to pardon or forgive (an offense);
excuse. - to cause the condonation of.
- Lawto forgive or act so as to imply forgiveness of (a violation of the marriage vow).
- Latin condōnāre to absolve, grant pardon, equivalent. to con- con- + dōnāre to give; see donate
- 1615–25, but in general currency from its use in the British Divorce Act of 1857 (see def. 5)
con•don′er, n.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
condone /kənˈdəʊn/ vb (transitive)
'condone' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):