forgivable
Worthy of clemency
Forgivable describes something that can be excused or pardoned.
A forgivable mistake is one that doesn't warrant lasting blame—understandable given the circumstances.
The word often softens judgment: His lateness was forgivable, considering the traffic.
What counts as forgivable varies by person and situation; a forgivable sin to one may be unforgivable to another.
Warranting forgiveness
- condonableAble to be pardoned
- understandableAble to be grasped
- justifiableAble to be defended
- overlookableAble to be disregarded
venial · allowable · permissible · tolerable · defensible · absolvable · exculpable · minor
Merciful treatment of offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
reprieve · benevolence · indulgence · kindness · gentleness · forbearance · charity · amnesty
Recovery or moral restoration
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
expiation · amends · reparation · remorse · apology · restitution · confession · penitence
Wrong action or decision
- errorFault in communication
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
- slipMinor error or misstep
lapse · misstep · transgression · offense · fault · indiscretion · infraction · gaffe
pardonable
Warranting forgiveness
- condonableAble to be pardoned
- understandableAble to be grasped
- justifiableAble to be defended
overlookable · venial · allowable · permissible · tolerable · defensible · absolvable · exculpable · minor · trivial
clemency
Merciful treatment of offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- leniencyMildness in punishment
absolution · reprieve · benevolence · indulgence · kindness · gentleness · forbearance · charity · amnesty · pardon
redemption
Recovery or moral restoration
- repentanceRemorseful rejection of past wrongs
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
reconciliation · expiation · amends · reparation · remorse · apology · restitution · confession · penitence · absolution
mistake
Wrong action or decision
- errorFault in communication
- blunderFoolish, costly mistake
- oversightSupervision or inadvertent omission
slip · lapse · misstep · transgression · offense · fault · indiscretion · infraction · gaffe · faux pas
forgivableunforgivable
Cannot be pardoned
heinous · abominable · monstrous · atrocious · egregious
forgivableunforgivable
Cannot be pardoned
unpardonable · inexcusable · indefensible · unjustifiable · beyond redemption
- forgivable offenseWrong that warrants clemency