absolve

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolve" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of freeing someone from blame, guilt, or responsibility. Example: "The judge decided to absolve the defendant of all charges due to lack of evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No one can absolve you of your sins if you don't believe it in your heart, and I honestly don't believe there's any amount of good I can do in my life that'll absolve me of his death.

The Guardian

That doesn't absolve Bush and Blair (ignorant fellows both), Eden or poor deluded Lawrence from what they caused to be done in Egypt, Iraq, Palestine and the rest.

The Guardian

In his latest assay, my esteemed colleague seeks to absolve government from any significant responsibility for the meltdown.

The Economist

And he ordered the operation that killed Osama bin Laden.A recognition of the limits of the possible, though, does not absolve Mr Obama from all the charges against him.

The Economist

The government's approval rating was only 14% in a recent survey by Hinterlaces, a polling firm.Many Venezuelans have hitherto been inclined to absolve Mr Chávez of personal blame.

The Economist

Shortly before that assault, Mr Zawahiri had issued a video demanding attacks on Americans in Libya to mark the anniversary.In the aftermath of the Benghazi tragedy, Republicans accused the administration of misrepresenting what had taken place in order to absolve itself from charges of tardiness and complacency.

The Economist

One clause would absolve fertility clinics from considering a child's "need for a father".

The Economist

Arab governments have inverted this refrain: by appropriating national energy resources and other rents, they neatly absolve themselves of the need to levy heavy taxes and therefore to win the consent of the governed.The devil you knowA less obvious source of state power is a pervasive fear of what might happen in its absence.

The Economist

What tipped the balance for the president must be conjecture, but even after 484 pages it is hard to agree with Messrs Walt and Mearsheimer that it was Israel's interests that did it.At one point the authors complain that Israel and its supporters in America are now rewriting history "to absolve Israel of any responsibility for the Iraq disaster".

The Economist

At the same time, you absolve the Palestinians of all responsibility for their own fate by stating that Mahmoud Abbas does not have the willpower to stop the extremists.But Mr Abbas must surely find the willpower.

The Economist

But even those who blame the sun for most of the global warming this century do not absolve mankind.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolve" when you want to indicate a formal release from blame, guilt, or responsibility, especially in contexts involving legal, moral, or ethical considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "absolve" to describe situations where forgiveness or understanding might be more appropriate. "Absolve" implies a formal clearance, not just a personal reconciliation.

Linguistic Context

Absolve functions primarily as a verb. It indicates the act of releasing someone from blame, guilt, or responsibility. Ludwig confirms this, showcasing its use in varied contexts. The phrase is often used when a person is cleared from accusations, duties, or sins, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolve" is a verb that signifies the act of releasing someone from blame or responsibility. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage in English, where it’s frequently employed in contexts involving legal, moral, or ethical considerations. The word is most commonly found in news media and encyclopedias. Alternatives like "exonerate", "acquit", and "pardon" offer similar meanings but with nuances in their applications. When writing, remember that "absolve" implies a formal clearance rather than just forgiveness. The comprehensive data from Ludwig underscores its versatility and importance in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exonerate

Focuses on clearing someone of blame after an accusation.

acquit

Specifically refers to a legal declaration of innocence.

vindicate

Emphasizes proving someone's innocence after doubt.

exculpate

Similar to exonerate, but often implies a lesser degree of responsibility.

pardon

Relates to forgiving a crime and releasing someone from punishment.

forgive

Implies showing mercy and not holding a grudge.

release from obligation

Specifically addresses freeing someone from a duty or requirement.

exempt

Indicates being freed from a rule or requirement that others must follow.

clear of charges

Directly states the removal of accusations or legal penalties.

discharge

Can refer to releasing someone from duty, debt, or obligation.

FAQs

How is "absolve" typically used in a sentence?

Typically, "absolve" is used to indicate the act of freeing someone from blame, guilt, or responsibility. For example, "The evidence was not enough to "absolve" him of the crime."

What are some words with similar meanings to "absolve"?

Alternatives to "absolve" include "exonerate", "acquit", "vindicate", and "pardon", each with slightly different connotations.

When is it appropriate to use "absolve" over "forgive"?

"Absolve" implies a formal release from blame or obligation, often in legal or moral contexts, whereas "forgive" suggests a more personal act of showing mercy.

Can you "absolve" yourself?

While you can't formally "absolve" yourself in a legal sense, you might use it metaphorically to describe coming to terms with your own actions and releasing yourself from guilt. However, it's more common to be absolved by an external authority or entity.