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
This past September, Tshisekedi retaliated by having Kabila tried in absentia and sentenced to death for war crimes and treason.
—
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in absentia.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
Hasina, who is living in exile in India, was tried in absentia.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Hasina and Khan, who have been in exile in India, were tried in absentia.
—CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in absentia
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.
Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2025
Dolly Parton received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in absentia.
—Julia Teti, Footwear News, 17 Nov. 2025
Hasina, who is living in exile in India, was tried in absentia.
—Robert Birsel, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Nov. 2025
Hasina and Khan, who have been in exile in India, were tried in absentia.
—CBS News, 17 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in absentia
Cite this Entry
“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
in absentia
adverb
in ab·sen·tia
ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology
Latin
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share