以上单词均有免罪或免除责任或惩罚的含义。absovle主要指免除对某行为的责任或义务，如absolved from his promise，以及经裁定免除因未履行此责任或义务而应受的惩罚[1]。exonerate主要指解除对侵权等不法行为的指控或指责，并强调消除今后的嫌疑[2]。pardon指赦免罪行，免除刑罚，如：Prisoner was pardoned by the governor[3]。forgive指因同情或怜悯，个人放弃本应要求惩罚的权利，或去掉所厌恶或复仇的念头或情感[4]。vindicate 指通过提供指控或指责不公平的证据而使受指控或指责者免除责任或罪过[5]。exculpate指免去指控或惩罚，或证明无辜或无过失，它与exonerate的主要区别在于其适用范围较广，可适用于所有的罪行，即不管是否提起过指控，也不管受指控的行为是否合法[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).