Definition

1. Verb:
   • To accept or allow (behavior that is considered wrong or offensive) to continue; to treat something bad as acceptable or harmless.
   • To forgive or overlook (an offense or fault), especially in a way that implies tacit approval or lack of serious objection.

Usage

The verb "condone" is used to describe the act of ignoring, excusing, or not punishing unacceptable behavior. It often implies a passive acceptance that can be seen as encouraging the bad behavior to persist. It is typically used with direct objects referring to the action or behavior being accepted. - It is commonly used in formal or serious contexts, such as discussions about ethics, law, or social norms. - The subject is usually a person, group, or entity in a position to judge or set standards.

Examples

• Verb:
  • The school cannot condone cheating on exams.
  • By staying silent, she seemed to condone their discriminatory remarks.
  • Many argue that failing to punish the act is to condone it.

Advanced Usage

• "condone something in someone": To specifically forgive or overlook a fault in a particular person.
  • I can condone a moment of weakness in a friend, but not persistent dishonesty.
• Used in negative constructions to emphasize strong disapproval.
  • Violence of any kind will not be condoned by this organization.

Variants and Related Words

• Condonation (n): The action of condoning, especially in a legal context (e.g., condonation of adultery).
  • The court considered his forgiveness as condonation of her actions.

Synonyms

• Overlook: To ignore or disregard indulgently.
• Excuse: To attempt to lessen the blame or justify a fault.
• Forgive: To stop feeling resentment for an offense.
• Wink at: To pretend not to see something wrong (idiomatic).

Antonyms

• Condemn: To express complete disapproval.
• Punish: To impose a penalty for an offense.
• Censure: To express severe criticism.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Turn a blind eye to: To knowingly ignore wrongdoing (similar in meaning to condone).
  • The manager turned a blind eye to the safety violations, effectively condoning them.

Verb

1. excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
   • excuse someone's behavior
   • She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities