Condone Definition and Legal Meaning

On this page, you'll find the legal definition and meaning of Condone, written in plain English, along with examples of how it is used.

What is Condone?

To forgive, ignore , overlook any knid of immoral act or crime commited by a person considering it to be minor in nature.In a marital relationship this is a common issue where wrong act perfomed by one of the spouse is forgiven with a condition that it will not be repeated, as it can be strong ground for divorce.

History and Meaning of Condone

The term "condone" originates from the Latin word "condonare," which means "to condone or forgive." In legal terms, it means to overlook, forgive, or excuse a wrong act or crime. To condone something is to accept behavior or actions that would typically be deemed unacceptable. To condone a particular behavior or action essentially sends a message to others that it is permissible, thus encouraging similar future actions.

In a legal sense, "condonation" refers to the act of forgiving or overlooking a legal violation or contract breach. In many jurisdictions, condonation is commonly used as a legal defense for divorce, particularly where one spouse has committed adultery. When a victim of a crime or a wronged party condones a criminal act, the legal consequences can be mitigated or reduced.

Examples of Condone

  1. The school administration condoned the student's bad behavior by not punishing them for cheating, setting a dangerous precedent for other students.
  2. By continually paying rent to their landlord despite the lack of heating in the apartment, the tenants were effectively condoning the landlord's behavior and making it less likely that the issue would be fixed.
  3. The company's CEO decided to condone the senior executive's harassment of a junior employee by allowing the executive to keep their job without any punishment, risking the organization's reputation.

Legal Terms Similar to Condone

  1. Complicity - the act of being involved in a criminal or immoral act or being an accomplice to it
  2. Accessory - someone who assists or encourages the commission of a crime, often less directly than an accomplice
  3. Pardon - an act of forgiveness or exoneration that absolves someone from some or all of the legal consequences of a crime.