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- pronunciation:
- f
 r
gIv
- parts of speech:
- transitive verb, intransitive verb
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb), Word Explorer, Grammatical Patterns
| part of speech: |
transitive verb |
| inflections: |
forgives, forgiving, forgave, forgiven |
| definition 1: |
to excuse or pardon (an offense or offender).
Can society forgive these crimes?I can sometimes forgive lying, but I cannot forgive cheating.[verb + gerund
]
She loved her father, but she could not forgive his being unfaithful to her mother.[verb + possessive adj + gerund
]
He hoped his wife could forgive him for what he did.They pray that God may forgive them their sins.[verb + object + object
]
- synonyms:
- excuse, overlook, pardon
- similar words:
- absolve, amnesty, condone, exculpate, exonerate, let off, make allowance for, remit, reprieve, shrive
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| definition 2: |
to relinquish anger or resentment against.
Years went by, but she could not forgive him for breaking her heart.- antonyms:
- resent
- similar words:
- absolve, bury, pardon
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| definition 3: |
to absolve from any claim on account of.
The credit card company partially forgave the debt.- antonyms:
- punish
- similar words:
- absolve, acquit, cancel, disregard, ignore, nullify, overlook, release from, remit, void
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| related words: |
excuse, justify |
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| part of speech: |
intransitive verb |
| definition: |
to excuse or pardon wrongdoing or one who is guilty of wrongdoing; grant forgiveness.
Do you have it in your heart to forgive? |
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| derivations: |
forgivable (adj.), forgiver (n.) |
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