in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Widespread courthouse arrests of immigrants have caused hundreds of people not to even show up for hearings, leading to deportation orders in absentia. Olga R. Rodriguez, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2026 Widespread courthouse arrests of immigrants have caused hundreds of people not to even show up for hearings, leading to deportation orders in absentia. ABC News, 22 May 2026 So the media focuses heavily on sympathetic individual cases, and most of these individuals that they’re focused on have had hearings, they have been ordered removed, oftentimes in absentia, and simply don’t leave, and so at what point does ignoring a court order become the real due process issue? Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 20 May 2026 Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran has ordered a retrial in his case, after he was sentenced in absentia, to one year in prison and a two-year ban from filmmaking. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for in absentia

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in absentia was in 1698

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Cite this Entry

“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

Legal Definition

in absentia

adverb
in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology

Latin

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