absolve
verb
ab·solve
| \ əb-ˈzälv
, -ˈsälv, -ˈzȯlv, -ˈsȯlv also without l
\
, -ˈsälv, -ˈzȯlv, -ˈsȯlv also without l
\
absolved;
absolving
Definition of absolve
formal
1
: to set (someone) free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt
The jury absolved the defendants of their crimes. Her youth does not absolve her of responsibility for her actions.
2
: to pardon or forgive (a sin) : to remit (a sin) by absolution
asked the priest to absolve his sins
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Synonyms & Antonyms for absolve
Synonyms
acquit, clear, exculpate, exonerate, vindicate
Antonyms
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Examples of absolve in a Sentence
no amount of remorse will absolve shoplifters who are caught, and all cases will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law
Recent Examples on the Web
The challenge for Nissan is how to blame Mr. Ghosn for its problems while absolving the company’s current executives of responsibility. — Ben Dooley, New York Times, "Nissan Got Rid of Carlos Ghosn. The Way It Did So May Prove Costly.," 26 Aug. 2019 When the justices absolved Texas lawmakers of having drawn most of the state's congressional and state legislative districts based on racial demographics, Sotomayor was typically steamed. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "'The People's Justice:' After decade on Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor is most outspoken on bench and off," 8 Aug. 2019 Wilson emphasized that this does not mean that violent men are absolved of blame. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: An inflammatory president in an inflated office," 7 Aug. 2019 Wilson emphasized that this does not mean that violent men are absolved of blame. — George F. Will, The Denver Post, "George Will: Trump doesn’t just pollute the social environment. He is the environment.," 6 Aug. 2019 Now, to be clear: None these traumas absolve any perpetrator of their actions and its consequences, Johnson says. — Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al.com, "Inside Birmingham’s Peace & Policy strategy: Will it stem the violence?," 24 July 2019 Immediately after the war, some in Germany worked to absolve themselves of responsibility for war atrocities and construct the notion of German victimhood or the power of the Soviet state in defeating fascism. — Gail Fletcher, National Geographic, "The forgotten ‘wolf children’ of World War II," 29 July 2019 The hurt that led them to commit the felony does not excuse or absolve the crime. — Roy S. Johnson | Rjohnson@al.com, al.com, "Johnson: Marshea Jones should not be prosecuted; she should be helped," 30 June 2019 Clearly the sales rep deceived you, but timeshare contracts typically have a clause that absolves the developer from responsibility for anything sales reps say. — Liz Weston | Nerdwallet.com, oregonlive.com, "Liz Weston: You’re not going to get money back from timeshare purchase," 29 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absolve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for absolve
absolve
verb
ab·solve
| \ əb-ˈzälv
, -ˈsälv\
, -ˈsälv\
absolved;
absolving
Kids Definition of absolve
: to make free from guilt or responsibility
He was absolved of wrongdoing.
absolve
transitive verb
ab·solve
| \ əb-ˈzälv, -ˈsälv
\
\
absolved;
absolving
Legal Definition of absolve
1
: to set free or release from some obligation or responsibility
a judgment terminating a parent's rights…absolves that parent of all future support obligations — In re Bruce R., 662 A.2d 107 (1995)
2
: to determine to be free of fault, guilt, or liability
a jury absolved the defendant of any negligence — Harbaugh v. Darr, 438 P.2d 74 (1968)
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