shrive

verb

Definition of shrivenext
as in to forgive

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of shrive Shrove Tuesday derives from the Anglo-Saxon Christian practice of going to confession and being shriven, or absolved of sins before the 40-day fast leading up to Easter. — Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 21 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shrive
  1. forgive
  2. pardon
  3. remit
Verb
  • You’d be forgiven for not realizing that Nintendo Switch Sports Resort is launching this week.
    — Andrew Webster, The Verge, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The remarkably, borderline unbelievably forgiving Adams became good friends with her ex-husband.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of forgive
Verb
  • Lula defended rehabilitation but said serious offenders should not qualify, then questioned whether Bolsonaro would pardon his father.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Drinks are free but tips are appreciated and the $2 bill fits the (pardon the pun) bill perfectly.
    — Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pardon
Verb
  • Those problems mostly stayed behind-the-scenes until the very public delays issuing property tax bills and remitting money to local governments.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In May, Kapoor pleaded guilty to a conspiracy to defraud the United States for failing to remit his employees’ payroll taxes for Social Security and Medicare benefits between 2020 and 2022.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of remit

Browse Nearby Words

shrinks
shrive
shrived
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Shrive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shrive. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All