absolve

[ab-zolv, -solv]

verb (used with object)

absolved, absolving 

1. to free from guilt or blame or their consequences.

   The court absolved her of guilt in his death.

   Synonyms: clear, exculpate
   Antonyms: blame

2. to set free or release, as from some duty, obligation, or responsibility (usually followed byfrom ).

   to be absolved from one's oath.

   Synonyms: exempt, liberate

3. to grant pardon for.

   Synonyms: forgive, excuse

4. Ecclesiastical.

   1. to grant or pronounce remission of sins to.

   2. to remit (a sin) by absolution.

   3. to declare (censure, as excommunication) removed.

absolve

/ əbˈzɒlv /

verb

1. (usually foll by from) to release from blame, sin, punishment, obligation, or responsibility

2. to pronounce not guilty; acquit; pardon

Other Word Forms

• absolvable adjective
• absolvent adjective
• absolver noun
• unabsolved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of absolve¹

1525–35; < Latin absolvere, equivalent to ab- ab- + solvere to loosen; solve

Word History and Origins

Origin of absolve¹

C15: from Latin absolvere to free from, from _ab- ¹ + solvere to make loose

Synonym Study

Absolve, acquit, exonerate all mean to free from blame. Absolve is a general word for this idea. To acquit is to release from a specific and usually formal accusation: The court must acquit the accused if there is not enough evidence of guilt. To exonerate is to consider a person clear of blame or consequences for an act (even when the act is admitted), or to justify the person for having done it: to be exonerated for a crime committed in self-defense.

Example Sentences

Scientific research has absolved vaccines as a cause.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Mohamed Salah has been pinpointed as one factor in Liverpool's slide, but he can be absolved here.

Read more on BBC

That the prison had been overcrowded at the time didn’t absolve it from its responsibility to provide the plaintiff, whose doctor had advised to avoid tobacco smoke, with a smoke-free environment.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Rather than face up to that embarrassing failure, the president now spins a conspiracy theory that absolves him of responsibility.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The administration has suspended billions in research grants and has offered to absolve alleged campus violations in exchange for hefty fines and sweeping policy changes.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acquit 
• exempt 
• exonerate 
• forgive 
• pardon 
• relieve 
• vindicate