absolve

verb

1. grant remission of a sin to

   verb.communication

   Examples

   The priest absolved him and told him to say ten Hail Mary's.

   Synonyms shrive

   Source: WordNet 3.0

2. let off the hook

   verb.communication

   Examples

   I absolve you from this responsibility.

   Synonyms free justify

   Antonyms blame fault

   Source: WordNet 3.0

3. To set free, or release, as from some obligation, debt, or responsibility, or from the consequences of guilt or such ties as it would be sin or guilt to violate; to pronounce free; as, to <i>absolve</i> a subject from his allegiance; to <i>absolve</i> an offender, which amounts to an acquittal and remission of his punishment.

   verb

   Source: webster1913