absolve

/əbˈzɒlv/ (bre, ipa) · /əbˈzɑːlv/ (ame, ipa) · /əb-ˈzälv -ˈsälv -ˈzȯlv, -ˈsȯlv also without l/ (ame, mw)

absolve — verb

  • absolvepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • absolveshe / she / it
  • absolvedpast simple
  • absolving-ing form

1. to formally declare that a person is cleared of responsibility for a wrongdoing

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to formally declare that a person is cleared of responsibility for a wrongdoing — such as a sin, a crime, or a failure — or to release them from an earlier promise or obligation

例句

Father Miguel absolved Elena of her sins after a long confession.

absolve + person + of + sin (religious context)

The judge absolved Mr. Okonkwo of all charges when the real thief confessed.

absolve + person + of + charge (legal context)

同義詞
  • forgive

    less formal and more personal; focuses on letting go of anger rather than a formal declaration of innocence

  • exonerate

    strictly legal or formal; specifically means to clear of blame after investigation or evidence

  • acquit

    narrowly legal — a court's formal verdict of not guilty in a criminal trial

  • pardon

    an official release from punishment, often granted by a head of state without necessarily declaring the person innocent

反義詞
  • blame

    to hold someone responsible for a fault or wrongdoing

  • convict

    to officially find someone guilty in a court of law

文法句型

absolve + person + of/from + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used in formal, legal, or religious contexts. The pattern 'absolve + person + of + noun' is more common for sins or crimes (absolve someone of a sin/charge), while 'absolve + person + from + noun' is more typical for obligations or duties (absolve someone from a responsibility). The word is rarely used in everyday casual conversation.

常見錯誤

❌The priest absolved all her sins.
✅The priest absolved her of all her sins.
💡The object of 'absolve' is the person, not the wrongdoing.
❌The judge absolved that the man was innocent.
✅The judge absolved the man of all charges.
💡'Absolve' does not take a that-clause; it takes a person object followed by 'of' or 'from'.