以上單詞均有免罪或免除責(zé)任或懲罰的含義。absovle主要指免除對某行為的責(zé)任或義務(wù)，如absolved from his promise，以及經(jīng)裁定免除因未履行此責(zé)任或義務(wù)而應(yīng)受的懲罰[1]。exonerate主要指解除對侵權(quán)等不法行為的指控或指責(zé)，并強調(diào)消除今后的嫌疑[2]。pardon指赦免罪行，免除刑罰，如：Prisoner was pardoned by the governor[3]。forgive指因同情或憐憫，個人放棄本應(yīng)要求懲罰的權(quán)利，或去掉所厭惡或復(fù)仇的念頭或情感[4]。vindicate 指通過提供指控或指責(zé)不公平的證據(jù)而使受指控或指責(zé)者免除責(zé)任或罪過[5]。exculpate指免去指控或懲罰，或證明無辜或無過失，它與exonerate的主要區(qū)別在于其適用范圍較廣，可適用于所有的罪行，即不管是否提起過指控，也不管受指控的行為是否合法[6]。
 
[1] "To set free or release from some obligation or responsibility； to determine to be free of fault, guilt, or liability. " Cf. Linda Picard Wood, J. D.，Merriam Webster's Dictionary of Law, at p. 3, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, Springfield, Massachusetts (1996).
[2] “Exonerate means to free from accusation or blame, and stress freedom from future suspicion. ” Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 197, The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[3] “To release a person from penalties for a past offense or alleged offense. ” Cf. James E. Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law, at p. 318, Random House (2000).
[4] " Forgive is to pardon with compassion, usually on a directly personal level. " Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest，Use the Right Word, at p. 420, The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).
[5] " To clear of suspicion, blame, or doubt. " Cf. The Publisher's Editorial Staff, Black's Law Dictionary，abridged 6th edition, at p. 1085，West Publishing Co. (1991 ).“ To clear from censure or suspicion by means of demonstration. " Cf. Bryan A. Gamer， Black's Law Dictionary，7th edition, at p. 1564，West Group (1999).
[5] " Exculpate means to free from blame or prove innocent of guilt. Unlike exonerate, it does not necessarily imply that a formal charge was made nor that the blameworthy act was illegal or illicit. It may apply to any culpable action. ” Cf. The Editors of the Reader's Digest, Use the Right Word, at p. 198，The Reader's Digest Association Proprietary Ltd. (1971).