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

Amnesty International has urged Syria to end trials in absentia and the use of the death penalty, incorporate crimes under international law into domestic legislation and reform the judiciary. — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026

More people aren't showing up, surging deportation orders These mass hearings have coincided with a sharp increase in the number of cases ruled in absentia, meaning the judge issued deportation orders after someone failed to appear in court. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2026

Assad, his younger brother Maher and six of the seven other former officials handed death sentences by the Damascus court were tried in absentia. — Rafi Schwartz, TheWeek, 12 Aug. 2026

Syria sentenced former dictator Bashar Al-Assad to death in absentia for war crimes. — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 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