Condone vs. Promote — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 20, 2024
"Condone" means to overlook or allow behavior without condemnation, often passively; "promote" involves active encouragement or support of an action or idea.
Difference Between Condone and Promote
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Condone" typically implies a passive acceptance or tolerance of an action, often by choosing not to criticize or punish it. This term suggests that while the behavior may not be approved of, it is nonetheless accepted without active support. On the other hand, "promote" means to actively support, advocate for, or encourage something, be it an idea, behavior, or product. It involves taking steps to further the acceptance or success of something.
In the realm of social behavior, to condone something like a minor rule-breaking might mean simply not reporting it or looking the other way, allowing it to continue without endorsing it. Whereas promoting something involves actively campaigning for it or trying to persuade others of its merits, like advocating for changes in rules or laws to benefit a cause.
"Condone" can often come with negative connotations, as it may be associated with ignoring unethical behavior or misconduct. It reflects a willingness to accept or bear something unfavorable without opposition. In contrast, "promote" generally has a positive connotation, associated with efforts to improve a situation, increase awareness, or support beneficial practices or products.
Organizations may condone certain practices by not addressing them in their policies or by failing to enforce rules consistently. This reflects a passive stance. Conversely, these same organizations might promote wellness, diversity, or innovation by implementing specific programs, offering incentives, and engaging in active outreach.
While "condone" involves a certain level of passivity, it does not necessarily imply agreement with the action, merely a decision not to act against it. "Promote," however, clearly signifies endorsement and active support, often aimed at persuading others to adopt a similar stance or behavior.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Accept and allow behavior to continue without protest.
Actively support or encourage.
Connotation
Often negative, implies tolerance of negative acts.
Positive, implies support and enhancement.
Level of Activity
Passive acceptance.
Active support and encouragement.
Typical Contexts
Ignoring minor infractions, tolerating discrepancies.
Marketing, advocacy, supporting policies or initiatives.
Outcome
Maintains status quo by lack of action.
Aims to change or improve the status quo.
Compare with Definitions
Condone
To accept or allow behavior that is considered wrong.
The company does not condone the use of personal devices at work.
Promote
To support or actively encourage a cause or venture.
He promotes environmental awareness through his blog.
Condone
To tacitly support by not taking action.
By not addressing the gossip, the supervisor appeared to condone it.
Promote
To contribute to the growth or prosperity of something.
They promote health by providing free gym memberships.
Condone
To permit by a lack of interference.
They condone pets in the office but don't officially support it.
Promote
To help something to develop or increase.
She was hired to promote the new book series.
Condone
To forgive or disregard an offense without protest.
The manager condoned the team's oversight, citing their usual diligence.
Promote
To publicize or advertise something.
The festival was promoted heavily on social media.
Condone
To overlook something undesirable or unacceptable.
He seemed to condone their late arrivals to the meeting.
Promote
To advance someone in rank or position.
She was promoted to manager after only one year.
Condone
Accept (behaviour that is considered morally wrong or offensive)
The college cannot condone any behaviour that involves illicit drugs
Promote
To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank.
Condone
To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure.
Promote
To advance (a student) to the next higher grade.
Condone
(transitive) To forgive, excuse or overlook (something that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or generally disliked).
Promote
To contribute to the progress or growth of; further.
Condone
(transitive) To allow, accept or permit (something that is considered morally wrong, offensive, or generally disliked).
Promote
To urge the adoption of; advocate
Promote a constitutional amendment.
Condone
To forgive (marital infidelity or other marital offense).
Promote
To attempt to sell or popularize by advertising or publicity
Commercials promoting a new product.
Condone
To pardon; to forgive.
A fraud which he had either concocted or condoned.
It would have been magnanimous in the men then in power to have overlooked all these things, and, condoning the politics, to have rewarded the poetry of Burns.
Promote
To help establish or organize (a new enterprise), as by securing financial backing
Promote a Broadway show.
Condone
To pardon; to overlook the offense of; esp., to forgive for a violation of the marriage law; - said of either the husband or the wife.
Promote
(transitive) To raise (someone) to a more important, responsible, or remunerative job or rank.
He promoted his clerk to office manager.
Condone
Excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with;
Excuse someone's behavior
She condoned her husband's occasional infidelities
Promote
(transitive) To advocate or urge on behalf of (something or someone); to attempt to popularize or sell by means of advertising or publicity.
They promoted the abolition of daylight saving time.
They promoted the new film with giant billboards.
Promote
(transitive) To encourage, urge or incite.
Promote
To elevate to a higher league.
At the end of the season, three teams are promoted to the Premier League.
Promote
To increase the activity of (a catalyst) by changing its surface structure.
Promote
To exchange (a pawn) for a queen or other piece when it reaches the eighth rank.
Having crossed the chessboard, his pawn was promoted to a queen.
Promote
To move on to a subsequent stage of education.
At the end of Primary 6 students can promote directly to the secondary section of SIS.
Promote
To contribute to the growth, enlargement, or prosperity of (any process or thing that is in course); to forward; to further; to encourage; to advance; to excite; as, to promote learning; to promote disorder; to promote a business venture.
Promote
To exalt in station, rank, or honor; to elevate; to raise; to prefer; to advance; as, to promote an officer.
I will promote thee unto very great honor.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee.
Promote
To urge on or incite another, as to strife; also, to inform against a person.
Promote
Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
Promote
Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position;
John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
I got promoted after many years of hard work
Promote
Make publicity for; try to sell (a product);
The salesman is aggressively pushing the new computer model
The company is heavily advertizing their new laptops
Promote
Be changed for a superior chess or checker piece
Promote
Change a pawn for a king by advancing it to the eighth row, or change a checker piece for a more valuable piece by moving it the row closest to your opponent
Common Curiosities
How can condoning affect workplace culture?
Condoning negative behavior can lead to a toxic workplace culture, as it may be perceived as endorsing or accepting poor conduct.
Can an organization condone something without promoting it?
Yes, an organization can condone certain behaviors by not actively addressing or discouraging them, without actively supporting them.
Is promoting always a positive action?
Promoting is generally viewed as positive because it involves support and encouragement, but the ethics depend on what is being promoted.
What does it mean to promote an idea?
Promoting an idea means actively spreading it, advocating for it, and trying to persuade others of its value.
How does societal response differ to condoning versus promoting?
Society often views condoning negatively, as it implies tolerance of negative behaviors, whereas promoting can garner support and enthusiasm if aligned with positive goals.
What is the main difference between condone and promote?
Condoning is passively allowing behavior, often without approval, whereas promoting is actively supporting and encouraging it.
What are examples of promoting in a business context?
Examples include advertising products, organizing campaigns to increase brand awareness, or advocating for company policies.
Is it possible to condone something ethically?
Ethically condoning something typically involves allowing actions that are not inherently harmful and do not warrant opposition.
Can an individual promote values silently?
Promoting typically involves active efforts; however, an individual can subtly promote values by consistently demonstrating them in behavior.
What are effective strategies for promoting a new product?
Effective strategies include advertising, social media campaigns, influencer partnerships, and promotional events.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
