absolve

/əb-ˈzälv/

Middle English absolven, borrowed from Latin absolvere "to release, acquit, finish, complete," from ab- ab-solvere "to loosen, release"

verb

  1. to set (someone) free from an obligation or the consequences of guilt

  2. to pardon or forgive (a sin) : to remit (a sin) by absolution

The jury absolved the defendants of their crimes.

exculpate absolve exonerate acquit vindicate mean to free from a charge. exculpate implies a clearing from blame or fault often in a matter of small importance. absolve implies a release either from an obligation that binds the conscience or from the consequences of disobeying the law or committing a sin.