absolving
Letting off completely
Absolving is the act of formally declaring someone free from blame, guilt, or responsibility.
A court may absolve a defendant of charges; a priest absolves sins in confession.
The word carries weight—you don't absolve someone of minor matters but of serious accusations or moral burdens: The investigation ended up absolving her of any wrongdoing.
Official release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
- compassionConcern for others' distress
grace · reconciliation · condonation · indulgence · forbearance · amnesty · tolerance · remission
Formal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- exculpationClearing from fault
- vindicationClearance of blame
- dischargeRelease of substance outward
immunity · reprieve · commutation · amnesty · dismissal · clearing · verdict · innocence
Admission of wrongdoing
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- priestOne who performs sacraments
- penitentOne showing remorse
sin · atonement · contrition · rite · blessing · redemption · repentance · shrift
Relieving oneself of weight
- liberationRelease from constraint
- reliefEasing of distress
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- unshacklingRemoving fetters or constraints
letting go · disentanglement · catharsis · lightening · respite · deliverance · emancipation · release
pardon
Official release from punishment
- mercyCompassion toward offenders
- clemencyMerciful treatment of offenders
- forgivenessReleasing resentment toward offenders
compassion · grace · reconciliation · condonation · indulgence · forbearance · amnesty · tolerance · remission · understanding
acquittal
Formal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- exculpationClearing from fault
- vindicationClearance of blame
discharge · immunity · reprieve · commutation · amnesty · dismissal · clearing · verdict · innocence · defendant
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- penanceSelf-mortification for wrongdoing
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- priestOne who performs sacraments
penitent · sin · atonement · contrition · rite · blessing · redemption · repentance · shrift · reconciliation
unburdening
Relieving oneself of weight
- liberationRelease from constraint
- reliefEasing of distress
- freedomAbsence of constraint
unshackling · letting go · disentanglement · catharsis · lightening · respite · deliverance · emancipation · release · freeing
- forgivenessforgiveness of sins, redemption, mercy, grace, pardon
- Excusingjustifying, forgiving, pardoning, condoning, rationalizing
- speech actsspeaking, talking, uttering, pronouncement, locution
absolvingcondemning
Expressing severe disapproval
blaming · convicting · accusing · indicting · charging
absolvingsentencing
Imposing legal punishment
punishing · penalizing · damning · sanctioning · disciplining
absolute, absolve, absolution, absolved, absolves, absolute zero, absolutions, absolute power, absolute monarchy