Condonative

/kənˈdoʊnətɪv/ adjective

Definition

Tending to condone, forgive, or overlook; having the quality or effect of forgiving or excusing.

Etymology

From 'condone' + the suffix '-ative' (which forms adjectives indicating a tendency or characteristic). This technical adjective emphasizes the action's effect rather than describing something that can be condoned.

Kelly Says

The shift from 'condonable' (can be forgiven) to 'condonative' (tends to forgive) shows how English uses different suffixes to flip perspective—one describes the fault, the other describes the person or action doing the forgiving.

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