Word
absolve
Phoneticsab·solve, stress on the second syllable
US/æbˈzɑɫv/
UK/ɐbsˈɒlv/
Definition
v. to officially say that someone is not guilty of a crime or a mistake. It is often used in legal or religious contexts.
v. to formally declare someone innocent of a charge or to release from a moral or legal obligation. Often used in the context of legal proceedings or religious confession.
Examples
“The judge decided to absolve the defendant of all charges.”
“The committee voted to absolve the manager of any responsibility for the recent data breach.”
“In many religious traditions, the act of confession is seen as a necessary step before one can be absolved of their sins by a priest or a higher authority.”
Examples
simple
“The judge decided to absolve the defendant of all charges.”
contextual
“The committee voted to absolve the manager of any responsibility for the recent data breach.”
complex
“In many religious traditions, the act of confession is seen as a necessary step before one can be absolved of their sins by a priest or a higher authority.”
Real-World Examples
“MI5 and Prevent point to findings by the coroner’s court that absolve them of blame.” “Yet if it had been designed to protect Álvarez and if this statement had too, absolving him of having chosen to turn his back on them , it also exposed him.” Etymology
First attested in the early 15th century. From Middle English absolven, from Latin absolvere (“set free, acquit”), from ab (“away from”) + solvō (“loosen, free, release”). Doublet of assoil.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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