| Main Entry: | absolve |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | free from responsibility, duty |
Synonyms: |
acquit, bleach, blink at, clear, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, forgive, free, go easy on, launder, let off easy, let off the hook, let off, let up on, liberate, lifeboat, loose, pardon, release, relieve, sanitize, set free, spare, spring*, vindicate, whitewash, wink at, wipe it off, wipe the slate clean, write off |
| Notes: | one is absolved of blame or responsibility but is acquitted of a charge, usually a crime |
Antonyms: |
bind, blame, charge, condemn, convict, hold, impeach, incriminate, obligate, punish, sentence |
| Main Entry: | cancel |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | call off; erase |
Synonyms: |
X-out, abolish, abort, abrogate, annul, ax, black out, blot out, break, break off, countermand, cross out, cut, deface, delete, destroy, do away with, do in, efface, eliminate, eradicate, expunge, finish off, go back on one's word, kill, obliterate, off*, omit, quash, remove, render invalid, repeal, repudiate, rescind, revoke, rub out, scratch out, scrub, sink*, smash, squash, stamp across, strike out, torpedo, total*, trash*, trim*, undo, wash out, wipe out, wipe slate clean, zap |
Antonyms: |
allow, approve, arrange, establish, permit, uphold |
| Main Entry: | exculpate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | forgive |
Synonyms: |
absolve, acquit, amnesty, clear, condone, discharge, disculpate, dismiss, excuse, exonerate, explain, free, justify, let off, pardon, rationalize, release, remit, vindicate, wipe slate clean |
Antonyms: |
blame, condemn, sentence |
| Main Entry: | exonerate |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | excuse, clear of responsibility or blame |
Synonyms: |
absolve, acquit, disburden, discharge, dismiss, except, exculpate, exempt, free, justify, let off hook, let off, liberate, pardon, release, relieve, sanitize, vindicate, whitewash, wipe slate clean |
Antonyms: |
accuse, blame, charge, condemn, incarcerate, incriminate, sentence |
| Main Entry: | forgive |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | stop blame and grant pardon |
Synonyms: |
absolve, accept apology, acquit, allow for, amnesty, bear no malice, bear with, bury the hatchet, clear, commute, condone, dismiss from mind, efface, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, extenuate, forget, kiss and make up, laugh off, let bygones be bygones, let it go, let off easy, let off, let pass, let up on, make allowance, overlook, palliate, pocket, purge, release, relent, remit, reprieve, respite, spring, think no more of, turn other cheek, wink at, wipe slate clean |
Antonyms: |
accuse, blame, censure, charge, punish |
| Main Entry: | go back to square one |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | start all over |
Synonyms: |
begin again, go back to the drawing board, make a fresh start, make a new beginning, start from scratch, wipe the slate clean |
| Main Entry: | overlook |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | make allowances for |
Synonyms: |
bear with, blink at, condone, disregard, excuse, forgive, go along with, grin and bear it, handle, ignore, let bygones be bygones, let go, let pass, live with, look the other way, pay no mind, play past, put up with, roll with punches, stand for, stomach, swim with the tide, take, tune out, turn blind eye to, whitewash, wink at, wipe slate clean |
Antonyms: |
deny, prevent, refuse, veto |
| Main Entry: | pardon |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | forgive |
Synonyms: |
absolve, accept, acquit, amnesty, blink at, bury the hatchet, clear, condone, discharge, exculpate, excuse, exonerate, free, give absolution, grant amnesty, justify, let off easy, let off, liberate, lifeboat, overlook, release, remit, reprieve, rescue, spring*, suspend charges, tolerate, wink at, wipe slate clean, write off |
Antonyms: |
chastise, condemn, damn, ostracize, penalize, punish |
| Main Entry: | release |
| Part of Speech: | verb |
| Definition: | let go, let out |
Synonyms: |
absolve, acquit, bail out, cast loose, clear, commute, deliver, discharge, disengage, dispense, drop, emancipate, exculpate, excuse, exempt, exonerate, extricate, free, give off, give out, go easy on, issue, leak, let off, let off steam, let up on, liberate, loose, loosen, manumit, open up, set at large, set free, set loose, spring, surrender, take out, turn loose, turn out, unbind, unchain, undo, unfasten, unfetter, unleash, unloose, unshackle, untie, vent, wipe slate clean, yield |
Antonyms: |
collect, gather, hold, keep, maintain |