shrive
Hear confession, pardon
Shrive is an archaic verb meaning to hear a confession, assign penance, and grant absolution—the duties of a priest in the sacrament of confession.
A person shrives themselves by confessing and receiving absolution: The condemned man shrived himself before the execution.
The past tense shrove survives mainly in Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent when Christians traditionally confessed their sins.
Release from guilt
- pardonOfficial release from punishment
- forgiveCease to blame
- exonerateClear of wrongdoing
- acquitFind not liable
clear · redeem · cleanse · purify · remission · absolution · grace · mercy
Admission of wrongdoing
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- liturgyFormal worship structure
ritual · absolution · penance · seal · tribunal · penitential · formulary · contrition
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
- admitConfess or grant entry
- discloseReveal hidden information
- revealMake something visible
- unburdenRemove a weight from
acknowledge · contrition · remorse · repentance · guilt · secrets · truth · divulge
One who performs sacraments
- confessorPriest receiving admissions
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- chaplainInstitutional clergy member
- fatherMale parent
cleric · minister · pastor · vicar · rector · curate · friar · monk
Compensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
sackcloth · self-denial · expiation · discipline · chastisement · satisfaction · pilgrimage · flagellation
absolve
Release from guilt
acquit · clear · redeem · cleanse · purify · remission · absolution · grace · mercy · clemency
confession
Admission of wrongdoing
- reconciliationRestoration of friendly relations
- riteCeremonial act or practice
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
liturgy · ritual · absolution · penance · seal · tribunal · penitential · formulary · contrition · satisfaction
confess
Acknowledge wrongdoing openly
unburden · acknowledge · contrition · remorse · repentance · guilt · secrets · truth · divulge · penitent
priest
One who performs sacraments
- confessorPriest receiving admissions
- penitentiaryFacility for convicted criminals
- chaplainInstitutional clergy member
father · cleric · minister · pastor · vicar · rector · curate · friar · monk · spiritual director
atonement
Compensation for wrongdoing
- reparationCompensation for injury done
- amendsCompensation for wrongdoing
- mortificationIntense shame or embarrassment
fasting · sackcloth · self-denial · expiation · discipline · chastisement · satisfaction · pilgrimage · flagellation · humility
- shrivel upContract from moisture loss
- short shriftHasty, dismissive treatment