Entry Word: forgive

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to cease to have feelings of anger or bitterness toward <it is not easy to forgive those who have hurt us>

Synonyms pardon

Related Words absolve, acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate; remit, shrive; condone, disregard, excuse, ignore, pass over, shrug off

Near Antonyms smart; despise, detest, dislike, hate, loathe; avenge, redress, revenge

Antonyms resent

2 to overlook or dismiss as of little importance <he has so many good qualities that I guess we can forgive a slight penchant for exaggeration> — see excuse 1