condone
kuhn-DOHN
Condone (verb) means to accept or overlook behaviour that is generally considered wrong. Example: “The school does not condone bullying of any kind.”
verb
1
To accept or overlook behaviour that is generally considered wrong.
"The school does not condone bullying of any kind."
"His silence seemed to condone the unfair treatment of his colleague."
How to use condone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo let something wrong slide by, effectively giving it your approval by not objecting.
Common mistake
Does not mean "to recommend" or "to encourage" — it means to tolerate or overlook something wrong, often by staying silent.
Common pairings
condone violence
does not condone
condone behaviour
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- condones
- Past tense
- condoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The school does not _____ bullying of any kind.
Etymology
A learned borrowing from Latin condonare ("to forgive, remit").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for condone
See all rhymes for condone →Frequently asked questions
What does “condone” mean?
The word “condone” means to accept or overlook behaviour that is generally considered wrong. In plain terms, to let something wrong slide by, effectively giving it your approval by not objecting.
How do you pronounce “condone”?
“Condone” is pronounced kuhn-DOHN (/kənˈdoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “condone” in a sentence?
Here is “condone” used in a sentence: “The school does not condone bullying of any kind.”
What is another word for “condone”?
Words with a similar meaning to “condone” include excuse, forgive, overlook and tolerate.
What part of speech is “condone”?
“Condone” is a verb.
Where does the word “condone” come from?
The word “condone” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing from Latin condonare ("to forgive, remit").
Is “condone” a common word?
“Condone” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
