forgives
Releases the grudge
Forgives is the third-person singular of forgive—to stop feeling resentment toward someone for an offense or mistake.
A person forgives a debt by releasing the obligation to repay it.
She forgives easily, Time forgives most sins.
The word carries weight in religious and interpersonal contexts, implying both letting go of grievance and, sometimes, reconciliation.
Forgiving an offense officially
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exculpationClearing from fault
amnesty · remission · vindication · clearance · discharge · reprieve · commutation · dispensation
Concern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
sympathy · tolerance · understanding · empathy · forbearance · indulgence · charity · benevolence
Compensation for wrongdoing
- peaceFreedom from disturbance
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- reunionGathering after separation
- healingRestoration of health
resolution · accord · restoration · reconnection · mending · rapprochement · making up · burying the hatchet
Relieving oneself of weight
- freeingReleasing from confinement
- liberatingSetting free from constraint
- releasingAllowing to escape
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
relief · catharsis · emotional release · moving forward · healing · acceptance · surrender · peace of mind
pardoning
Forgiving an offense officially
- absolutionFormal clearing of guilt
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
exculpation · amnesty · remission · vindication · clearance · discharge · reprieve · commutation · dispensation · condonation
compassion
Concern for others' distress
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- leniencyMildness in punishment
- kindnessConsiderate, caring disposition
gentleness · sympathy · tolerance · understanding · empathy · forbearance · indulgence · charity · benevolence · patience
amends
Compensation for wrongdoing
healing · resolution · accord · restoration · reconnection · mending · rapprochement · making up · burying the hatchet · olive branch
unburdening
Relieving oneself of weight
- freeingReleasing from confinement
- liberatingSetting free from constraint
- releasingAllowing to escape
letting go · relief · catharsis · emotional release · moving forward · healing · acceptance · surrender · peace of mind · lightening
forgivespunishes
Inflicts consequences for wrongdoing
condemns · avenges · retaliates · castigates · penalizes
- forgive meRequest for absolution
- forgive and forgetAbsolve and dismiss resentment
- forgive yourselfLet go of self-blame
- please forgive me
- forgive usAbsolve our offenses
- please forgiveRequest for absolution
forgive, forgiveness, forgiving, forgiven, unforgiving, unforgivable, forgivable, unforgiven, forgiver