Condone – Definition and Part of Speech
Condone is a verb used to express acceptance or approval of behavior, typically considered objectionable or questionable. It involves overlooking or tolerating an act that others might criticize, often implying some degree of forgiveness or leniency towards the transgression.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tolerate | To allow behavior that is not necessarily agreed with, without intervention | “She chose to tolerate his occasional lateness.” | Formal/Informal |
| Excuse | To forgive or overlook an offense as if it were justified | “He excused the child’s mistake due to his young age.” | Academic/Formal |
| Overlook | To fail to notice something, often implying a decision not to criticize | “The manager overlooked her minor errors during the busy season.” | Business/Formal |
| Accept | To receive or agree to something, sometimes despite reservations | “They accepted his unconventional approach with some reluctance.” | Casual/Everyday |
| Permit | To allow something explicitly through authorization or consent | “The school permits students to wear hats on Fridays only.” | Formal/Business |
Usage Notes
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Tolerate is versatile across various contexts, suitable for formal writing like academic papers and business communications as well as everyday conversation. It suggests a degree of forbearance without full approval.
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Excuse can be used in both casual speech and more formal settings such as written apologies or justification letters. This term often implies empathy or understanding of the reason behind an action.
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Overlook works well in business contexts where minor errors are disregarded to maintain workflow efficiency. In creative writing, it might describe a character’s deliberate choice not to criticize another’s actions.
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Accept is commonly used in informal settings, including conversations and narratives, to indicate agreement or resignation to something less-than-ideal.
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Permit is particularly relevant in formal contexts like regulatory or policy discussions where explicit permission or allowance is being discussed.
Common Pitfalls
One common confusion arises with overlook; while it can mean failing to notice something unintentionally, in this context, it refers more specifically to the deliberate decision not to criticize. Similarly, accept can imply full agreement when used interchangeably with condone, which may not always be appropriate as condone often carries a sense of reluctant tolerance.
Final Recap
In summary, synonyms for “condone” include tolerate, excuse, overlook, accept, and permit. Each offers nuanced differences in meaning and application across various contexts. Practicing these synonyms can enhance one’s expressive range—try writing sentences using each synonym or discussing scenarios where they might be applicable to reinforce understanding.
By expanding your vocabulary with these alternatives, you can communicate more precisely about the nuances of approval and tolerance in different situations. Encourage readers to engage actively by crafting their own examples and identifying contexts where specific synonyms best convey intended meanings.