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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

absolve

Verb

IPA /əbˈzɒlv/

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Meaning in plain English

To formally declare that someone is not to blame for something or is free from a particular responsibility.

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Pronunciation

absolve/əbˈzɒlv/

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  1. Who caused the missing-file problem?

  2. The review checks the evidence

  3. The trainee is cleared of responsibility

The review can absolve the trainee of blame when the evidence shows they were not responsible.

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Examples in context

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  1. The investigation absolved our neighbour of blame for the fire.
  2. The review absolved the trainee of responsibility for the missing files.

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To formally declare that someone is not to blame for something or is free from a particular responsibility.
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absolve — To formally declare that someone is not to blame for something or is free from a particular responsibility.

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To formally declare that someone is not to blame for something or is free from a particular responsibility.

Compare: The investigation absolved our neighbour of blame for the fire.

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Word origin

From Latin absolvere, meaning set free or acquit.

Did you know?

Absolve can concern responsibility as well as guilt; it does not always refer to a crime.

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absolve

/əbˈzɒlv/ (Verb)

“Use absolve someone of blame or absolve someone from a duty. The word is formal.”

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