absolution

ab·so·lu·tion | \ ˌab-sə-ˈlü-shən

Definition of absolution

: the act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful : the act of absolving someone or the state of being absolved specifically : a remission of sins pronounced by a priest (as in the sacrament of reconciliation) The rite of confessing one's sins to a priest and receiving absolution … is also recognized as a sacrament in the Anglican and Orthodox Christian traditions. — Peter Steinfels

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Examples of absolution in a Sentence

He asked the priest to give him absolution for his sins. the jury's verdict of “not guilty” was absolution in the eyes of the law, but the verdict would always be “guilty” in the court of public opinion

Recent Examples on the Web Of them, Lindsey Graham is uniquely beyond absolution. — Matt Ford, The New Republic, "The Unpardonable Sins of Lindsey Graham," 18 Nov. 2020 In June, the Movement for Black Lives called for the absolution of student loans, medical debt, mortgage payments and rent; tenant unions across the country are rallying to cancel rent. — Astra Taylor, The New Yorker, "How the Biden Administration Can Free Americans from Student Debt," 23 Nov. 2020 The short and pensive Galician-language drama spares the audience the particulars of what came before in their feud, instead wielding staggering reflections on absolution or lack thereof. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Forgiveness is elusive in ‘Fire Will Come,’ a remarkable drama from Spain," 5 Nov. 2020 At the root of this unrest was a desire for absolution, a promise of redemption for wrongdoing wrought on millions of innocent people. — Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, "The Heiress Who Stole a Vermeer, Witchcraft in Post-WWII Germany and Other New Books to Read," 5 Nov. 2020 And now, in an attempt at parity and absolution, our pattern is about to ricochet in the opposite direction. — Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, "It's Good To Be Above Average Again," 1 Nov. 2020 Such off-the-chart forgiveness makes less-saintlike people suspect that absolution is beyond their reach, says deLange. — Donna Britt, Washington Post, "No matter who wins on Tuesday, look in your heart and forgive," 2 Nov. 2020 Not a few government officials and politicians have already tried to set the stage for claiming absolution, presumably reading the electoral tea leaves pointing to Trump’s defeat. — Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, "Column: Shaming? Absolution? Jail? How to treat those complicit in Trump’s wrongdoing," 30 Oct. 2020 Trump's words of support for Ducey weren't an absolution, though. — Andrew Oxford, The Arizona Republic, "As leaders face reckoning over pandemic response, Trump lends hand to Ducey," 17 Sep. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'absolution.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.