Word Type

Adjective

Adjective

Verb

Noun

The word "forgiving" can be used as adjective, adjective, verb and noun.

Word Relationships

Opposites (Antonyms)

unforgiving

Causes

absolution act like never happened bitterness to end both people might feel better chosing not to focus on loss feel better friendship to restored getting over issue good heart good karma great relief guilt hold person in kindness lessening of anger make ammends make up making peace with person new freedom not harboring anger peace positive reconcilliation redemption reduced stress relief for yourself remain friend repaired relationship respect satisfying ego stop holding grudge

Derived Terms

forgivingly forgivingness unforgiving

Inflected/Variant Forms

forgive

Prerequisites

ability to let go assuming won't do again change in attitude forgiving spirit kindness overcoming hurt and anger patience serenity sincerity superhuman effort at times sympathy thought understanding understanding and love

Subevents

appology bitterness cry with emotional healing feel relieved feeling better further discussion about future behavior get over problem give hug hug kiss lifting of great burden might shoot anyway plot revenge behind backs put hand on shoulder show empathy tell it's okay

Type Of (IsA)

action social event

Related Terms

forgive

Similar Terms

exculpatory kind tolerant tolerant unvindictive unvindictive

Synonym Network

absolvitory

Used For

accepting apology accepting human error becoming friends again being better person being christian being good person being nice to building relationship character building compassion demonstrating compassion dismiss thier injustice easing tension and dispelling negative feelings ending argument feeling at peace feeling better about other person feeling better about yourself friendship getting forgiveness oneself according to christians getting on with life giving in happiness healing and kindness healing breach in relationship healing wounds letting go maintaining healthy interpersonal relationship making feel better making things right mending relationships not holding grudge not holding on to anger putting away anger putting past behind relieving mind of stress repairing relationship showing compassion showing mercy strengthening relationship surrender to love very generous people but not wimps

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.