excuse vs absolve

excuse is a noun but absolve is not a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
excuse	Yes	No	Yes	No
absolve	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, absolve is a hypernym of excuse; that is, absolve is a word with a broader meaning than excuse:

Other hypernyms of excuse include free.

excuse (noun)	absolve (noun)
a poor example
a defense of some offensive behavior or some failure to keep a promise etc.
a note explaining an absence

excuse (verb)	absolve (verb)
accept an excuse for	let off the hook
defend, explain, clear away, or make excuses for by reasoning	grant remission of a sin to
excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
serve as a reason or cause or justification of
grant exemption or release to
ask for permission to be released from an engagement