ABSOLVE Synonyms: 29 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

absolve

verb

əb-ˈzälv

Definition of absolve next

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

Synonym Chooser

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

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 Nearly half is devoted to shifting all blame for October 7 to Bar, absolving himself. —

Gershom Gorenberg, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2025 The finger-pointing status quo has become a politically safe homeostasis absolving them all of direct accountability. —

Max Taves, Mercury News, 31 May 2025 DeBoer hardly absolved Oettinger after the game, which the Stars lost 6-3. —

Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 30 May 2025 What happened to Simone as a child is horrible, and in her brain, she is therefore absolved of having anything to do with her father. —

Lauren Coates, Variety, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for absolve

Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolve

acquit

Verb

He was acquitted of all charges after a trial in criminal court.

— Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Despite the witnesses who saw Dennis’s murder, the seven men involved were acquitted and were convicted of lesser offenses.

— Sam Gillette, People.com, 27 May 2025

Definition of acquit

Browse Nearby Words

absolutism

absolve

absolved

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Absolve.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolve. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.

Copy Citation

Last Updated: 18 Jun 2025 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of absolve

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on absolve

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

jeopardize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes

Synonyms of absolve

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on absolve

More from Merriam-Webster

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

jeopardize

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly

Popular in Wordplay

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

8 Words for the Wordy and Talking Too Much

How 'Namaste' Entered The English Language

Games & Quizzes