Forgive

To cease to feel resentment or anger towards (someone) for an offense, shortcoming, or mistake; to pardon. It signifies the act of releasing someone from blame or punishment, relinquishing the desire for retribution, and offering compassion or understanding, even in the face of hurt or wrongdoing. Forgiveness involves acknowledging the harm caused, making a conscious choice to let go of negative emotions, and, ideally, restoring a relationship. It's a complex emotional and often spiritual process that can bring peace and healing to both the one who forgives and the one forgiven. It doesn't necessarily mean condoning the action but rather choosing not to hold the offense against the individual.

Forgive meaning with examples

• After a long and difficult conversation, Sarah decided to forgive her friend for the hurtful comments. Though it wasn't easy, she understood the context and recognized her friend's remorse. Forgiving her wasn't about forgetting, but about choosing to move forward without carrying the burden of resentment and rebuilding their friendship with trust.
• The community, shocked by the crime, struggled to forgive the perpetrator. Despite the gravity of the offense, they held several sessions with mental health professionals. Some sought justice, but a powerful group advocated for a restorative justice program, aiming to heal the wounds and hopefully to forgive the perpetrator and bring healing to all those involved.
• During the family therapy, the father expressed how difficult it was to forgive his son's mistakes. He wanted to let go of the anger and disappointment and create a better understanding of his son's choices. He recognized that holding onto resentment was harming their relationship more than the original transgression, but he struggled to let go.
• The protagonist in the novel wrestled with his own inability to forgive his brother for a betrayal that had haunted him for decades. The emotional toll of this unforgiveness impacted every area of his life. Finally, he understood that the inability to forgive was only hurting himself. He found the strength and chose to forgive him, finding some closure.