Forgiveness: meaning, definitions and examples

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forgiveness

[fərˈɡɪvnəs ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ability to pardon

Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offense or mistake. It involves letting go of resentment and the desire for revenge. Forgiveness can lead to healing and reconciliation in relationships.

Synonyms

absolution, clemency, mercy, pardon.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forgiveness	Typically used to describe the act of letting go of resentment or anger towards someone who has wronged you. It is often personal and emotional. He sought forgiveness from his friend after their argument Forgiveness can be a powerful act of healing
pardon	Used both in legal contexts and everyday situations. In legal terms, it means forgiving a crime and cancelling the relevant penalty. In everyday use, it is often used to excuse minor mistakes or offenses. The president issued a pardon for the convicted felon Pardon my mistake, I didn’t see you standing there
absolution	Commonly used in a religious context to describe the act of being forgiven for one's sins by a priest. It implies a formal and official declaration of forgiveness. The priest gave her absolution after she confessed her sins Absolution is part of many religious ceremonies
mercy	Used to describe compassion or kindness shown to someone who is suffering or in a difficult situation. It can also imply not giving a harsh punishment that someone deserves. She showed mercy to the struggling family Mercy is a virtue that can change lives
clemency	Often used in legal or governmental contexts to describe leniency or mercy shown by someone in a position of authority, such as a judge or a president. It suggests a reduction in the severity of punishment. The governor granted clemency to the prisoner His appeal for clemency was successful

Examples of usage

Her forgiveness towards her ex-husband allowed her to move on with her life.
Forgiveness is essential for inner peace and emotional well-being.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

religious concept

In many religions, forgiveness is seen as a divine act of mercy and grace. It is believed to be a virtue that connects humans to the divine and promotes spiritual growth.

Synonyms

absolution, mercy, pardon, remission.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forgiveness	Best used in everyday situations where someone is excused from a mistake or wrongdoing. It is general and can be applied in personal, social, or even religious contexts. She asked for forgiveness after she realized she had hurt his feelings His forgiveness meant a lot to her
mercy	Used when someone in a position of power decides to be compassionate or lenient towards someone who has done something wrong. It is often used in legal, religious, or serious personal situations. The judge showed mercy and gave him a lighter sentence She begged for mercy when she realized the severity of her mistake
absolution	Typically used in a religious context, especially within Christianity, where a priest grants forgiveness for sins. It implies a formal release from guilt or punishment. The priest granted him absolution after he confessed his sins She felt a sense of peace after receiving absolution
pardon	Commonly used in legal or formal contexts when an authority figure officially forgives someone for a crime or wrongdoing, often leading to the cancellation of punishment. The governor granted him a pardon, allowing him to return home He sought a pardon for his earlier misdeeds
remission	Often used in medical or formal contexts to refer to the reduction or cancellation of a debt, charge, or punishment. In a medical context, it can refer to the reduction or disappearance of symptoms. He was relieved when the doctor announced his cancer was in remission The remission of his debt brought a sense of relief

Examples of usage

Christianity teaches the importance of forgiveness as part of redemption.
The concept of forgiveness is central to many religious practices.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

psychological perspective

From a psychological standpoint, forgiveness is viewed as a process of releasing negative emotions and moving towards acceptance and peace. It can benefit mental health and overall well-being.

Synonyms

acceptance, compassion, reconciliation, understanding.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forgiveness	Used when someone stops feeling anger or resentment towards another person for an offense, flaw, or mistake. She asked for his forgiveness after breaking his favorite vase True forgiveness is difficult but liberating
reconciliation	Used when restoring harmonious relations between formerly arguing or conflicting parties is the goal. The two nations worked towards reconciliation after years of conflict After their argument, their reconciliation was a relief to everyone
compassion	Used when someone shows deep empathy and care for the suffering or misfortunes of others. He showed great compassion for the victims of the disaster Compassion is a key quality of a good leader
understanding	Used when someone shows empathy and is able to comprehend the feelings and viewpoints of others. Her understanding nature made her a favorite among friends He showed understanding about her need to leave early
acceptance	Used when someone comes to terms with a situation or the actions of others, often implying tolerance and endurance. She showed acceptance of her new environment His acceptance of their differences strengthened their relationship

Examples of usage

Therapists often encourage forgiveness as a way to overcome past trauma.
Forgiveness therapy has been shown to reduce anxiety and depression.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from the Old English 'forgiefan', meaning 'to give up' or 'to give forth'.
Its roots trace back to the Proto-West Germanic *furgīban, showing a long history in the language of giving.
In many languages, similar words for forgiveness convey the idea of freeing oneself from anger.

Psychology

Research shows that forgiving others can lead to lower levels of stress and anxiety, contributing to better mental health.
Studies suggest that forgiveness is not just about the other person; it can free the forgiver from negative emotions.
Forgiveness can strengthen relationships and improve overall well-being, fostering emotional resilience.

Cultural Perspectives

In various cultures, forgiveness is viewed differently; some see it as a sign of strength while others view it as a moral obligation.
Religious texts across Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism emphasize the importance of forgiveness as a means to reconciliation.
Many Indigenous cultures have ceremonies focused on forgiveness to heal and restore community bonds.

Literature

Forgiveness themes are prevalent in classic literature, often exploring the moral dilemmas faced by characters.
Shakespeare’s plays frequently highlight forgiveness, revealing its complexity in human relationships, such as in 'The Tempest'.
Contemporary novels often depict characters’ journeys toward forgiveness as a powerful aspect of personal growth.

Philosophy

Philosophers throughout history have debated the nature and ethics of forgiveness, including Aristotle and Confucius.
Many philosophical discussions center around whether forgiveness requires forgetting the wrongs done to us.
The act of forgiveness is often discussed in relation to justice, with questions about when it is appropriate to forgive.

Translations

Translations of the word "forgiveness" in other languages:

🇵🇹 perdão

🇮🇳 क्षमा (kṣamā)

🇩🇪 Vergebung

🇮🇩 pengampunan

🇺🇦 прощення

прощення гріхів
пробачення

🇵🇱 przebaczenie

🇯🇵 許し (yurushi)

🇫🇷 pardon

🇪🇸 perdón

🇹🇷 bağışlama

🇰🇷 용서 (yongseo)

🇸🇦 غفران (ghufrān)

🇨🇿 odpuštění

🇸🇰 odpustenie

🇨🇳 宽恕 (kuānshù)

🇸🇮 odpuščanje

🇮🇸 fyrirgefning

🇰🇿 кешіру

🇬🇪 მიტევება (miteveba)

🇦🇿 bağışlama

🇲🇽 perdón

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,135 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

...
8132 watershed
8133 caps
8134 pest
8135 forgiveness
8136 narrator
8137 safer
8138 confront
...