absolving 1 of 3

adjective

as in pardoning

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absolving

2 of 3

noun

as in absolution

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absolving

3 of 3

verb

present participle of absolve
as in acquitting
to free from a charge of wrongdoing no amount of remorse will absolve shoplifters who are caught, and all cases will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of absolving
Verb
But that also eradicates a crucial option - to mount a show trial and scapegoat him for all the ills of his rule, thus absolving others. — Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026 Compared to the absolving gleam of latex, sloppy imperfection isn’t especially sexy. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026 The team issued a series of statements Wednesday accepting blame for approving the design and absolving the league’s uniform manufacturer, Fanatics, of responsibility. — Stephen J. Nesbitt, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026 Attorney Tom Mincer and our team remain steadfast in our commitment to absolving Lenny of all possession charges. — Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026 And on top of this, many platforms do not classify their riders as employees, legally absolving the companies from providing the many benefits that the workers are demanding. — Esha Mitra, CNN Money, 2 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolving
  1. exculpatory
  2. absolution
  3. acquitting
  4. forgiveness
  5. exonerating
  6. dispensation
Adjective
  • Some prosecutors have created units designed to take another look at past convictions where exculpatory evidence is now available, like in Powell’s case.
    — Taylor Croft, AJC.com, 21 June 2026
  • Mullins rejected that argument on the grounds that exculpatory information must always be shared.
    — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 13 May 2026
Definition of exculpatory
Noun
  • The woman’s love and affection, as well as her genuine repentance, won his absolution of her sins.
    — Eric Bashor, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026
  • According to this script, the ballot represents absolution and neither the French nor the British system was built to answer it.
    — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 8 July 2026
Definition of absolution
Verb
  • Yolo Superior Court jurors deliberated for weeks at Dominguez’s initial 2025 trial in the stabbings that paralyzed Davis before acquitting him on one murder count and failing to reach a verdict on a second murder count.
    — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 14 July 2026
  • Observers say the jury’s 10-2 vote in favor of acquitting Jonathan Rinderknecht was a major blow to Essayli’s office.
    — Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Definition of acquitting
Noun
  • The era of forgiveness is ending, and the era of permission is beginning, and the only open question is who grants it.
    — Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Jelly Roll’s gonna need a favor of forgiveness from Kansas City Royals fans after Wednesday night.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of forgiveness
Verb
  • This evidence is considered among the most important to both sides, potentially either dooming OpenAI as an infringer or exonerating its chatbot technology as a transformative fair use of news sites’ content.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 9 July 2026
  • Thursday’s proceeding is expected to bring that long chapter to a close, formally exonerating the four men and marking a consequential moment in a case that has haunted Austin for more than three decades.
    — Austin Sanders, Austin American Statesman, 19 Feb. 2026
Definition of exonerating
Noun
  • Interestingly, ride-hailing passengers get no such dispensation.
    — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
  • Permits for blasting and fuel dispensation, much of what’s still happening on the construction site, typically run $140-$180 each.
    — Mark Dee June 24, Idaho Statesman, 24 June 2026
Definition of dispensation

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absolving
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Cite this Entry

“Absolving.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolving. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on absolving

Nglish: Translation of absolving for Spanish Speakers

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