as in to acquit
to free from a charge of wrongdoing no amount of remorse will absolve shoplifters who are caught, and all cases will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law

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How does the verb absolve differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of absolve are acquit, exculpate, exonerate, and vindicate. While all these words mean "to free from a charge," absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.

cannot be absolved of blame

When might acquit be a better fit than absolve?

While in some cases nearly identical to absolve, acquit implies a formal decision in one's favor with respect to a definite charge.

voted to acquit the defendant

When is exculpate a more appropriate choice than absolve?

The words exculpate and absolve are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance.

exculpating himself from the charge of overenthusiasm

When could exonerate be used to replace absolve?

Although the words exonerate and absolve have much in common, exonerate implies a complete clearance from an accusation or charge and from any attendant suspicion of blame or guilt.

exonerated by the investigation

When is it sensible to use vindicate instead of absolve?

The meanings of vindicate and absolve largely overlap; however, vindicate may refer to things as well as persons that have been subjected to critical attack or imputation of guilt, weakness, or folly, and implies a clearing effected by proving the unfairness of such criticism or blame.

her judgment was vindicated

Examples of absolve in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Since the diss tracks have come to a pause, fans have been frantically searching for corroborating evidence to absolve their preferred artist and indict the opposing competitor. Shamira Ibrahim, refinery29.com, 9 May 2024 Wisconsin’s Supreme Court ruled in 2022 a state law absolving trafficking victims of criminal liability for offenses committed as a direct result of being trafficked extends to first-degree intentional homicide. Amy Simonson, CNN, 19 Aug. 2024 Offering a resignation option can help mitigate the risk of legal action and, depending upon your state law, may absolve employers from their responsibility to provide unemployment benefits. Johnny C. Taylor Jr., USA TODAY, 13 Aug. 2024 The longtime former Urban Meyer assistant was also the subject of internal and external investigations during his brief tenure, although a third-party investigation largely absolved Addazio of the accusations that had been levied against him. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for absolve 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absolve.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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Cite this Entry

“Absolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolve. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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