Overlook And Condone

Question

Hello everyone,A. Is the verb "condone" the synonymous of the word "overlook" as follows?1. I've always overlooked your bad behavior.2. I've always condoned your bad behavior.B. Do the above sentences have the same meaning?Regards,JA

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

Joseph A
Hello everyone,
A. Is the verb "condone" the synonymous of the word "overlook" as follows?
1. I've always overlooked your bad behavior.
2. I've always condoned your bad behavior.
B. Do the above sentences have the same meaning?
Regards,
JA

While certain definitions of these two verbs overlap, they are not really synonymous. I'd say they are vaguely synonymous, but 'condone' is stronger, that is, it's used in the context of worse behavior than 'overlook' is.

condone Accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.

overlook Ignore or disregard (something, especially a fault or offense)

I would not have used 'condoned' in your example sentence. 'condone' is really quite often used in the negative, and I think that's how I usually use it myself. It also has the flavor of letting someone get away with something.

I think that what you've done is wrong. I can't condone your bad behavior.

CJ

Overlook And Condone

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