absolve himself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolve himself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is seeking to free themselves from blame or responsibility for a particular action or situation. Example: "He tried to absolve himself of any wrongdoing by claiming he was unaware of the consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Another is whether Mr. Galliano can absolve himself simply by blaming liquor and drugs for his behavior.

The New York Times

This is a beautiful and very suspect sentiment — it feels as if Plante has included it to absolve himself.

The New York Times - Books

In his heart of hearts, Jomier can only certainly absolve himself of fatness and faith among this litany.

The Guardian - Books

Amatzia Baram said, "Saddam can absolve himself of all sins in the eyes of the Arab and Muslim worlds by bringing Israel to its knees.

The New Yorker

It takes three decades for Karel to overcome his misplaced guilt and absolve himself as he absolves Vaclav and his brothers.

The New York Times - Books

Perhaps he danced to absolve himself of having to talk to people — a motive so foreign to Davos that no one suspected him of it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Rupert Murdoch absolved himself by blaming his employees.

The New Yorker

Once again, Murdoch absolved himself of any responsibility.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Michaud absolves himself with characters you're quickly invested in.

The New York Times - Books

On Tuesday, he issued his own statement absolving himself of any wrongdoing.

The New York Times - Sports

To Trick Daddy's credit, he renders this tale without absolving himself of responsibility or painting himself as a cretin.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the nuance of "absolve himself" compared to similar phrases. While "excuse himself" might suggest a simple justification, "absolve himself" implies a deeper need for moral or ethical clearance.

Common error

Ensure you use the reflexive pronoun "himself" when the subject is performing the action of absolving on themselves. Using "absolve him" would imply someone else is absolving him, changing the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolve himself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is performing the action of absolving on themself. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form, as evidenced by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolve himself" is a grammatically correct and frequently used reflexive verb phrase, according to Ludwig AI. It's predominantly found in news and media sources. This expression describes the act of a person trying to free themselves from blame or responsibility. While alternatives like "exonerate himself" or "vindicate himself" exist, "absolve himself" carries a specific connotation of seeking moral or ethical clearance. When employing this phrase, ensure correct reflexive pronoun usage and awareness of its implied attempt to alleviate guilt or accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exonerate himself

Focuses on proving innocence or clearing from blame, often legally or formally.

vindicate himself

Emphasizes clearing oneself from suspicion or wrongdoing, often after a period of doubt.

acquit himself

Implies a judgment or assessment where one is found not guilty or performs adequately.

justify his actions

Highlights providing reasons or explanations to defend one's behavior, potentially mitigating blame.

excuse his behavior

Focuses on finding reasons to explain or pardon one's conduct, often minimizing responsibility.

defend his conduct

Emphasizes actively arguing for the acceptability or rightness of one's actions.

rationalize his decisions

Highlights creating seemingly logical explanations for choices, potentially masking underlying motives.

evade responsibility

Focuses on avoiding or escaping accountability for one's actions or their consequences.

shirk blame

Implies avoiding or dodging being blamed for something, often through deceptive means.

wriggle out of accountability

Suggests using cunning or manipulative tactics to escape being held responsible.

FAQs

How can I use "absolve himself" in a sentence?

The phrase "absolve himself" is used when someone attempts to clear themselves of blame or responsibility. For example, "He tried to "absolve himself" by blaming his assistant".

What does it mean to "absolve himself"?

To ""absolve himself"" means to free oneself from blame, guilt, or responsibility for a wrongdoing or mistake. It suggests a personal effort to clear one's conscience or reputation.

What are some alternatives to "absolve himself"?

Alternatives to ""absolve himself"" include "exonerate himself", "vindicate himself", or "justify his actions", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Is it correct to say "absolve him" instead of "absolve himself"?

No, "absolve him" and ""absolve himself"" have different meanings. "Absolve him" means someone else is clearing him of blame, whereas ""absolve himself"" indicates he is trying to clear himself.