condone

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day

Merriam-Webster's Word of the Day for December 28, 2024 is:

condone • \kun-DOHN\ • verb

To condone something that is considered wrong is to forgive or approve it, or to allow it to continue.

// We cannot condone that kind of behavior.

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Examples:

"... remaining quiet is the same as condoning bad behavior. Choose to say or do something, as this will help hold people accountable for their words and actions and encourage others to follow your lead." — Sherri Gordon, Health.com, 17 Sept. 2024

Did you know?

If you're among folks who don't condone even what they consider minor usage slips, you might want to hew to the more established meaning of condone. Although English speakers sometimes use condone to mean "encourage" or "approve of" (as in "officials accused of condoning corruption"), some people feel strongly that it should only mean something closer to "pardon" or "overlook." Condone comes from the Latin verb condonare, which means "to absolve." Condonare in turn combines the Latin prefix com-, indicating thoroughness, and donare, meaning "to give." Not surprisingly, donare is also the source of our words donate and pardon.