condone

What does “condone” mean?

verb.to accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.

SAT Usage

The term is commonly found in passages discussing ethics, morality, or social issues, often highlighting the consequences of inaction or acceptance of wrongdoing. It emphasizes a notion of complicity or tacit approval, distinguishing it from similar words like "tolerate," which suggests merely enduring something without necessarily endorsing it.

Common Confusions

Condone implies a tacit approval of morally wrong behavior, while tolerate usually suggests merely enduring or allowing something without endorsing it.

Example Sentences

• The school would not condone any form of bullying.

• I cannot condone cheating, even when the stakes are high.

Word Parts: How to Remember “condone”

Break “condone” into its parts: co- (together, with). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: co- together, with (Latin)