éponger

Senses

1. 1.

   to sponge; to wipe up (liquid)

   to absorb or remove liquid using a sponge or cloth

2. 2.

   to wipe; to dry

   to remove moisture from a surface

3. 3.

   to wipe out; to cancel (figurative)

   to eliminate or forgive a debt, mistake, or obligation

Examples

• "Elle a éponger l'eau renversée sur la table avec une serviette."

  She wiped up the spilled water on the table with a towel.

• "Il s'essuya le front pour éponger la sueur."

  He wiped his forehead to dry the sweat.

• "Le gouvernement a décidé d'éponger les dettes des petites entreprises."

  The government decided to cancel the debts of small businesses.

Usage

Regular -er verb. The literal sense (wiping up liquid with a sponge) is common in everyday speech. The figurative sense (canceling debt or forgiving) is more formal and appears in financial or political contexts. Note the optional reflexive form "s'éponger" (to dry oneself).