| liberate(verb, defend, spare, relieve, pardon) |
| mitigate(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| pardon(verb, disregard, defend, explain, spare) |
| plead ignorance(verb, expression, defend, explain, spare) |
| pretext(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| purge(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| rationalize(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| release(verb, defend, spare, relieve, pardon) |
| relieve(verb, defend, spare, pardon, forgive) |
| reluctantly approve |
| remit(verb, disregard, defend, explain, spare) |
| shrive(verb, defend, explain, spare, relieve) |
| shrug off(verb, expression, phrasal verb, defend, explain) |
| spare(verb, defend, relieve, pardon, forgive) |
| take |
| take rap for(verb, expression, idiom, phrasal verb, defend) |
| tolerate(verb, disregard, defend, explain, spare) |
| vindicate(verb, defend, spare, relieve, pardon) |
| whitewash(verb, defend, spare, relieve, pardon) |
| absolve(pardon, forgive, acquit) |