forgiveness

/fərˈgɪvnɪs/

/fəˈgɪvnɪs/

Other forms: forgivenesses

Compassionate feelings for someone that make it easier to forgive that person for some offense can be called forgiveness. Feelings of forgiveness make it easier to feel empathy toward people who have harmed you.

If you give someone a break and forgive some misdeed or mistake, you are practicing the act of forgiveness. If your sister borrows your favorite white sweater without asking, it's easy to offer her forgiveness. If your sister borrows your favorite white sweater without asking and spills a glass of chocolate milk on it, forgiveness may be a little harder to grant.

Definitions of forgiveness

1. noun

   the act of excusing a mistake or offense
   synonyms: pardon

   types:

   condonation

   a pardon by treating the offender as if the offense had not occurred

   exculpation

   the act of freeing from guilt or blame

   type of:

   benignity, kindness

   a kind act
2. noun

   compassionate feelings that support a willingness to forgive
   type of:

   mercifulness, mercy

   the feeling that motivates compassion