forgive
pardon / excuse / waive / condone
Transitive Verb
past: forgavepp: forgivening: forgiving
This word conveys a conscious decision to release resentment or anger, shifting the emotional state from hostility to peace. It implies a moral or emotional liberation of both the victim and the offender, often associated with grace, mercy, or reconciliation. In financial contexts, the term shifts from an emotional act to a legal or contractual one. When a debt is forgiven, it is not merely overlooked but formally cancelled, removing the legal obligation for the debtor to repay the funds.
Meanings
Transitive Verb
[~ someone][~ someone for something][~ something]
To stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for an offense, crime, or mistake.
"I can forgive him for lying to me, but I cannot forget it."