kind indulgence, as in forgiveness of an offense or discourtesy or in tolerance of a distraction or inconvenience

I beg your pardon, but which way is Spruce Street?

Law .

a release from the penalty of an offense; a remission of penalty, as by a governor.

the document by which such remission is declared.

forgiveness of a serious offense or offender.

Obsolete . a papal indulgence.

to make courteous allowance for or to excuse

Pardon me, madam.

to release (a person) from liability for an offense.

to remit the penalty of (an offense)

The governor will not pardon your crime.

(used, with rising inflection, as an elliptical form of I beg your pardon, as when asking a speaker to repeat something not clearly heard or understood.)

noun

chastisement , condemnation , damning , ostracization , penalty , punishment , implacability , retaliation , retribution , vengeance

verb

chastise , condemn , damn , ostracize , penalize , punish

noun

absolution , acquittal , allowance , amnesty , anchor , clemency , commute , conciliation , condonation , discharge , exculpation , excuse , exoneration , forbearance , freeing , grace , indemnification , indemnity , indulgence , justification , kindness , lifeboat , lifesaver , mercy , release , remission , reprieve , vindicationnotes:a pardon is the act of excusing a mistake or offense; an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness , forgiveness

verb

absolve , accept , acquit , amnesty , blink at , bury the hatchet * , clear , condone , discharge , exculpate , excuse , exonerate , free , give absolution , grant amnesty , justify , let off * , let off easy , liberate , lifeboat , overlook , release , remit , reprieve , rescue , spring * , suspend charges , tolerate , wink at * , wipe slate clean , write off *notes:a pardon is the act of excusing a mistake or offense; an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness , absolution , commute , exempt , forgive , grace , mercy , remission , shrive , spare , vindicate