Legal Definitions - absolve

verb

1. To release someone from an obligation, debt, or responsibility.
2. To free someone from the penalties for misconduct.

noun: absolver

1. The bank absolved the customer from paying the remaining balance on the loan.

2. The judge absolved the defendant of all charges due to lack of evidence.

These examples show how absolve means to release someone from a responsibility or obligation. In the first example, the bank released the customer from paying the remaining balance on the loan. In the second example, the judge released the defendant from all charges due to lack of evidence.

Absolve can also mean to free someone from the penalties for misconduct. For example, if a student is caught cheating on a test, the teacher may absolve them of the punishment if they confess and promise not to do it again.