in absentia
adverb
in ab·sen·tia
ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə 
: in absence
gave him the award in absentia
Examples of in absentia in a Sentence
She was convicted of the crime in absentia.
Recent Examples on the Web
The annual gala will also honor Mara Brock Akil, Maude Apatow, Dede Gardner, Gabrielle Nadig alongside Nia DaCosta and Judy Blume, who will be presented with their awards in absentia.
—
Giana Levy, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
That network was spearheaded by Ilan Shor, an oligarch living in exile after he was convicted in absentia for his role in stealing $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
In 2023, member Nadya Tolokonnikova was arrested in absentia and added to Russia’s International Wanted list, while Petya Verzilov (also known as Pyotr) was sentenced in absentia to eight years and four months in April 2024 and added to the list of terrorists in December 2024.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2025
The previous week, a mother with a deportation order in absentia was arrested near Enrique Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista during morning drop-off.
—Alexandra Mendoza, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for in absentia
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Giana Levy, Variety, 8 Oct. 2025
That network was spearheaded by Ilan Shor, an oligarch living in exile after he was convicted in absentia for his role in stealing $1 billion from Moldovan banks in 2014.
—Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
In 2023, member Nadya Tolokonnikova was arrested in absentia and added to Russia’s International Wanted list, while Petya Verzilov (also known as Pyotr) was sentenced in absentia to eight years and four months in April 2024 and added to the list of terrorists in December 2024.
—Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 15 Sep. 2025
The previous week, a mother with a deportation order in absentia was arrested near Enrique Camarena Elementary School in Chula Vista during morning drop-off.
—Alexandra Mendoza, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 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 24 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
in absentia
adverb
in ab·sen·tia
ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology
Latin
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