absolve — English Dictionary

Verb

1. To set free, release or discharge (from obligations, debts, responsibility etc.).

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   excuseexemptfreerelease

   Examples

   You will absolve a subject from his allegiance.

   Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind. Absolve you to yourself, and you shall have the suffrage of the world.

   More examples (1)

   The Committee divided, and Halifax was absolved by a majority of fourteen.

2. To resolve; to explain; to solve.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   decipherelucidatework out

   Examples

   1595, George Peele, The Old Wives’ Tale, The Malone Society Reprints, 1908, lines 331-332, […] he that can monsters tame, laboures atchive, riddles absolve […]

   we ſhall not abſolve the doubt.

3. To pronounce free from or give absolution for a penalty, blame, or guilt.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   acquitexculpateexoneratepardonremitvindicate

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   A Heretic may see the truth and seek redemption. He may be forgiven his past and will be absolved in death. A Traitor can never be forgiven. A Traitor will never find peace in this world or the next. There is nothing as wretched or as hated in all the world as a Traitor.

4. To pronounce not guilty; to grant a pardon for.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   amnestyforgiveremit

   Examples

   Abſolves the juſt, and dooms the guilty ſouls.

5. To grant a remission of sin; to give absolution to.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   shrive

   Examples

   To make confession and to be absolved.

6. To remit a sin; to give absolution for a sin.

   Usage

   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   remit

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   In his name I abſolve your perjury and ſanctify your arms: follow my footſteps in the paths of glory and ſalvation; and if ſtill ye have ſcruples, devolve on my head the puniſhment and the ſin.

7. To finish; to accomplish.

   Usage

   • Obsolete
   • Transitive

   Synonyms

   completeconcludefinalize

   Examples

   and the work begun, how ſoon / Abſolv'd,

8. To pass a course or test; to gain credit for a class; to qualify academically.

   Usage

   • Transitive

Verb

1. grant remission of a sin to

   Synonyms

   shrive

   Broader terms

   forgive

   Examples

   The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Marys

2. let off the hook

   Synonyms

   free

   Antonyms

   blame

   Broader terms

   forgive

   Examples

   I absolve you from this responsibility