absolver
One who forgives
An absolver is one who absolves—who formally declares someone free from guilt, sin, or blame.
The term appears most often in religious contexts, where a priest serves as absolver in confession: The absolver pronounced the penitent forgiven.
It can extend to any authority who grants release from obligation or accusation.
Admission of wrongdoing
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- contritionRemorseful state over misdeeds
reconciliation · penitent · confessor · rite · liturgy · seal of confession · tribunal · shrift
Official release from punishment
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
- acquitFind not liable
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
exculpate · vindicate · clear · excuse · release · discharge · remit · amnesty
Deliverance from harm
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
contrition · repentance · restitution · amends · purification · renewal · rebirth · deliverance
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
contrition · reconciliation · penitent · confessor · rite · liturgy · seal of confession · tribunal · shrift · canonical
pardon
Official release from punishment
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
- acquitFind not liable
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
mercy · exculpate · vindicate · clear · excuse · release · discharge · remit · amnesty · reprieve
salvation
Deliverance from harm
- atonementCompensation for wrongdoing
- rehabilitationRecovery from injury/addiction
- reformationProcess of improving institutions
penance · contrition · repentance · restitution · amends · purification · renewal · rebirth · deliverance · recovery
absolveraccuser
One who alleges wrongdoing
blamer · prosecutor · denouncer · arraigner · censurer
absolverpunisher
One who metes discipline
avenger · castigator · penalizer · chastiser · executioner