in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə 

: in absence

gave them the award in absentia

Examples of in absentia in a Sentence

She was convicted of the crime in absentia.

Recent Examples on the Web

French was booked in absentia while hospitalized and will be taken to the Pima County Adult Detention Complex after his release, police said. — Sophia Compton, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2026

On March 30, 2026, a French court sentenced the Chinese captain in absentia to one year in prison and issued an arrest warrant after convicting him of failing to comply with orders to stop his ship. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026

In October, Fritsch was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison, fined $35,000 and ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution. — Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

For an in absentia order to be issued, the immigration judge must find that the person was properly notified. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for in absentia

• differentia
• essentia
• potentia
• rodentia

Legal Definition

in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə 

: in absence

sentenced in absentia

Etymology

Latin