The word "accused" is a noun or a verb. As a noun, it refers to a person or group who is charged with a crime or offense. As a verb, it means to charge someone with a crime or offense. Here are some antonyms and an analysis of them:
1. Defender
- Meaning: A person who supports or pleads on behalf of someone else; a lawyer or advocate who tries to prove the innocence of the accused.
- Analysis: When someone is an "accused," they are in a position where they are being charged or blamed. A "defender," on the other hand, is in the position of safeguarding the rights and innocence of the person who is accused. For example, in a courtroom, the accused stands before the judge facing charges, while the defender presents evidence and arguments to counter the accusations and show that the accused is not guilty.
2. Exonerated
- Meaning: (Past tense of exonerate) To clear someone of blame or suspicion; to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing.
- Analysis: The state of being "accused" implies a burden of guilt or suspicion. When a person is "exonerated," this burden is removed. For instance, if a person was wrongly accused of theft, after a thorough investigation that reveals new evidence, they may be exonerated. This means that the accusations against them are found to be unfounded, and they are no longer considered in the category of the accused.
3. Absolved
- Meaning: To free someone from guilt, blame, or responsibility; to declare someone free from a sin, obligation, or penalty.
- Analysis: Similar to "exonerated," when a person is "absolved," they are released from the position of being accused. The difference is that "absolved" can have a more religious or moral connotation as well. For example, in a religious confession, a penitent may be absolved of their sins. In a legal context, a person can be absolved of a crime if it is determined that they had no culpability. This is the opposite of the state of being accused, where there is an implication of guilt or responsibility for an alleged offense.