French word

absoudre

Pronunciation

IPA/apsudʁ/

Meaning

  • verbacquit

Example

La cour va absoudre la jeune femme.

The court will acquit the young woman.

Illustration for absoudre (acquit)

More examples

Je ne peux pas t'absoudre si tu ne reconnais pas ton erreur.

I can't forgive you if you don't admit your mistake.

Core concept

A ruling cuts the bond between a person and an alleged legal or moral fault.

Common phrases

  • absoudre quelqu'un de ses erreurs

    forgive someone for their mistakes

  • absoudre quelqu'un

    find someone not guilty

Similar words

pardonner: To pardon an offense without holding it against the offender or demanding restitution.
acquitter: To formally judge an accused person not guilty and release them from punishment.
disculper: To remove suspicion and free someone from accusations or blame.

Definition in French

Prononcer qu'une personne n'est pas coupable d'un délit ou la libérer de la culpabilité morale qui lui est attribuée.

Word origin

French absoudre comes through Old French from Latin absolvere, combining ab- for 'away' with solvere for 'loosen' or 'release'.

Usage tips

  • Absoudre is formal and mainly legal or religious, while everyday French more often uses pardonner for forgiving someone.

Other meanings

  • absolveverb
  • forgiveverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word