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

Additionally, Emmy Rossum presented Beth de Araújo and an in absentia Gemma Chan with the Crystal Ward for Advocacy in Film. — Arushi Jacob, Footwear News, 6 Nov. 2026

Dahqani, an Iranian national, had already been handed the death penalty in 2016 after he was tried in absentia along with 25 Kuwaitis. — Frank Andrews, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026

And on visiting the Enforcement of Judgments unit at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office, Panahi and his lawyer learned that a new judgment had been issued against him in absentia and without prior legal notice. — Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2026

This prompted a meeting with the Enforced of Judgments Unit at Iran‘s Cultural and Media Prosecutor’s Office, which revealed that Panahi had received his new sentence in absentia. — J. Kim Murphy, IndieWire, 27 Oct. 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