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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of absolve
Another reason for the evangelists to absolve Pilate of blame, according to Pagels, would have been to protect themselves.
—
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
The mission has been to absolve the progressive state and smear Canada’s last remaining conservative institutions in the present.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 Feb. 2025
Devout Hindus believe the waters of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, invisible Saraswati, which meet at Prayagraj, have the power to absolve them of sin.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Her legacy was being beaten on schedule for more than twenty years by a man who cleaned up nice and came to her funeral late, his sins absolved by his capacity as breadwinner.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolve
Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
The mission has been to absolve the progressive state and smear Canada’s last remaining conservative institutions in the present.
—The Editors, National Review, 28 Feb. 2025
Devout Hindus believe the waters of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical, invisible Saraswati, which meet at Prayagraj, have the power to absolve them of sin.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
Her legacy was being beaten on schedule for more than twenty years by a man who cleaned up nice and came to her funeral late, his sins absolved by his capacity as breadwinner.
—Joseph Earl Thomas, Harper's Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolve
Cite this Entry
“Absolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolve. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share