verb transitiveWord forms: abˈsolved or abˈsolving
1.
to pronounce free from guilt or blame; acquit
2.
a.
to give religious absolution to
b.
to remit (a sin)
3.
to free (from a duty, promise, etc.)
SYNONYMY NOTE: absolve implies a setting free from responsibilities or obligation [absolved from her promise] or from the penalties for their violation; acquit means to release from a specific charge by a judicial decision, usually for lackof evidence; to , exonerate is to relieve of the blame for a wrongdoing; to , pardon is to release from punishment for an offense [the prisoner was pardoned by the governor]; forgive implies giving up all claim that an offense be punished as well as any resentmentor vengeful feelings; to , vindicate is to clear (a person or thing under attack) through evidence of the unfairness ofthe charge, criticism, etc.
OPPOSITE: blame
Derived forms
absolvent (abˈsolvent)
adjective, noun
absolver (abˈsolver)
noun
Word origin
ME absolven < L absolvere, to loosen from < ab-, from + solvere: see solve
Examples of 'absolve' in a sentence
absolve
But she had to do something, she had to absolve this terrible feeling of guilt.
Loraine, Philip LOADED QUESTIONS (2002)
Adam cried desperately, crossing his fingers behind his back in the childish belief that such a gesture would absolve him.
Fraser, Christine Marion NOBLE BEGINNNINGS (2002)
And not even the all-embracing, everlasting, multitudinous seas could absolve this.
Salley Vickers INSTANCES OF THE NUMBER 3 (2002)
(verb)
Definition
to declare to be free from blame or sin
The judicial inquiry absolved the soldiers.
Synonyms
excuse
She was excused from her duties for the day.
free
They are going to free more prisoners.
clear
In a final effort to clear her name, she is writing a book.
release
He wants to be released from any promise between us.
deliver
Mercifully, I was delivered from that pain.
loose
He loosed his grip on the rifle.
forgive
She'll understand and forgive you.
discharge
You are being discharged on medical grounds.
liberate
How committed is the leadership to liberating its people from poverty?
pardon
Hundreds of political prisoners were pardoned and released.
exempt
Companies with fewer than 55 employees would be exempted from these requirements.
acquit
He was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates.
vindicate
The director said he had been vindicated by the expert's report.
remit
let off
set free
exonerate
The official report exonerated the school of any blame.
exculpate
shrive
Opposites
charge
,
blame
,
condemn
, convict,
damn
,
denounce
,
censure
,
reproach
,
sentence
,
reprove
,
upbraid
,
excoriate
,
pass sentence on
,
reprehend
Additional synonyms
in the sense of acquit
Definition
to pronounce someone not guilty
He was acquitted of disorderly behaviour by magistrates.
Synonyms
clear,
free,
release,
deliver,
excuse,
relieve,
discharge,
liberate,
vindicate,
exonerate,
absolve,
exculpate
in the sense of clear
Definition
to prove (someone) innocent of a crime or mistake
In a final effort to clear her name, she is writing a book.