| Main Entry: | |
| 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: | pardon |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | forgiveness |
| Synonyms: | absolution, acquittal, allowance, amnesty, anchor, clemency, commute, conciliation, condonation, discharge, exculpation, excuse, exoneration, forbearance, freeing, grace, indemnification, indemnity, indulgence, justification, kindness, lifeboat, lifesaver, mercy, release, remission, reprieve, vindication |
| Notes: | a pardon is the act of excusing a mistake or offense; an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness |
| Antonyms: | chastisement, condemnation, damning, ostracization, penalty, punishment |
| 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 |
| Notes: | a pardon is the act of excusing a mistake or offense; an excuse is an explanation offered to justify or obtain forgiveness |
| Antonyms: | chastise, condemn, damn, ostracize, penalize, punish |
| Main Entry: | release |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | delivery; dispensation |
| Synonyms: | absolution, acquittal, acquittance, charge, clemency, commute, deliverance, discharge, emancipation, exemption, exoneration, floater, freedom, freeing, let-off, liberation, liberty, lifeboat, lifesaver, manumission, relief, spring, turnout, walkout |
| Antonyms: | check, collection, gathering, hold |
| Main Entry: | reprieve |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | relief of blame, responsibility |
| Synonyms: | abatement, abeyance, absolution, acquittal, alleviation, amnesty, anchor*, clearance, clemency, commute, deferment, freeing, let-up, lifeboat, lifesaver, mitigation, palliation, pardon, postponement, release, remission, respite, spring*, stay, suspension, truce |
| Main Entry: | raft |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | flatboat |
| Synonyms: | balsa, barge, boat, float, life raft, lifeboat, lighter, pontoon |
| Main Entry: | dinghy |
| Part of Speech: | noun |
| Definition: | boat |
| Synonyms: | life raft, lifeboat, rowboat, skiff |