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

Italy’s Constitutional Court ultimately cleared the way for the trial to proceed in absentia, allowing hearings to begin in Rome despite longstanding disputes over notification of the accused. — ABC News, 28 Sep. 2026

There, detectives found a property owner who had gone missing in 1982 and was declared deceased in absentia seven years later. — Rebecca Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Qatanani insists that he was never formally arrested nor notified about being charged with a crime, but rather was among hundreds of Palestinians detained during a 1993 uprising and was subsequently convicted in absentia. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2026

From January to August 1, more than 79% of cases out of the court were marked in absentia at a final hearing. — Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 11 Sep. 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