rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycondoneOverlook wrongdoing
verb

condone

kuhn-DOHN/kənˈdəʊn/

To accept or overlook wrongdoing without objection.

The supervisor condones the worker's rule-breaking by knowingly waving it off.

A supervisor notices a worker breaking a small workplace rule but knowingly waves it off, tolerating wrongdoing.
Etymology
conLatinperhaps adds emphasis
+doneLatinto give as a gift

With the prefix perhaps adding emphasis to giving, the underlying verb meant giving up or remitting, hence pardoning. From forgiving wrongdoing, condone broadened to tolerating or allowing it.

In context

The Scottish Parliament69:04
Having a problem with the act does not and never will mean that we condone hatred in any shape or form.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party Debate: Repealing the Hate Crime Act - 17 April 2024

More examples

  • By ignoring the stolen supplies, the manager effectively condones theft.
  • Accepting his apology does not mean I condone his behavior.
  • The report accuses officials of condoning widespread abuse.

Forms

condone · condones · condoned · condoning

Similar words

tolerate
Means putting up with something, not necessarily wrongdoing.
overlook
Can mean failing to notice, rather than knowingly accepting wrongdoing.
excuse
Emphasizes forgiving a fault or treating it as less blameworthy.