Forgivable
What it means
Understandable enough to be met with forgiveness.
Reach for it when describing a fault understandable enough to release resentment
The novice's forgivable error was corrected without embarrassment.
Words to choose between 5
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm |
|
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
-
everyday
minor
Fits when small scale is the supported fact
Careful A minor error can still be unforgivable if deliberate.
-
warm
Fits when circumstances explain why the mistake occurred
Careful Understanding a fault does not mean excusing its harm.
-
professional
excusable
Fits when a valid reason reduces blame
Careful Excusable can dismiss the need for repair.
-
formal
pardonable
Fits when a fault merits formal mercy
Careful Pardonable sounds legal or religious in ordinary conversation.
-
literary
venial
Fits when the offense is minor rather than grave
Careful Venial is rare and carries religious classification.
Opposites 3
- unforgivable
- inexcusable
- unpardonable
Common phrases 3
-
forgivable mistake
The novice made a forgivable mistake.
-
entirely forgivable
Her confusion was entirely forgivable.
-
seem forgivable
The delay may seem forgivable once the emergency is known.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Flame, not lame, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC0 Updated