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in absentia

adverb
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in ab·​sen·​tia | \ ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce in absentia (audio) \

Definition of in absentia

: 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 whereabouts of Low and Loo, who were charged in absentia, remain unknown. — Yudith Ho, Washington Post, "What to Know as Goldman Sachs Faces Malaysia’s Legal System," 18 Sep. 2019 The legislation would ensure that every citizen can vote in absentia and extend deadlines for requesting mail-in ballots. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Trump’s grudge against the US Postal Service is a threat to the US election," 13 Apr. 2020 Among the plaintiffs is Elmer Sanchez, a native of Honduras who was ordered in absentia to be deported in 2005 and married a US citizen in 2013. — Regina Garcia Cano, BostonGlobe.com, "Judge sides with couples suing feds over marriage interviews," 10 Feb. 2020 The four suspects, believed to be in Russia or separatist areas of Ukraine, will be tried in absentia and are unlikely ever to spend time in prison. — Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, "Murder Trial of Russian Ex-Agents Opens for Downed Malaysia Airlines Flight," 9 Mar. 2020 Lacote and Van Acker were tried in absentia for the 1996 murder of Marcus Mitchell, according to the news outlet. — Fox News, "2 of Europe's most wanted criminals arrested in West Africa after 20 years on the lam," 23 Nov. 2019 She was awarded the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize in absentia for championing democracy and rights under Myanmar’s then-ruling junta. — NBC News, "Aung San Suu Kyi in court to defend Myanmar over genocide allegations," 11 Dec. 2019 The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe gave Titiev its Václav Havel Human Rights Prize (in absentia). — Jay Nordlinger, National Review, "The Example Of Oyub Titeiv," 5 Mar. 2020 Three Russian citizens and a Ukrainian are expected to go on trial, likely in absentia, on March 9, 2020 in the Hague. — Radina Gigova, CNN, "Russia says civilian jet made emergency landing after brush with Syrian fire," 7 Feb. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'in absentia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of in absentia

1886, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for in absentia

Latin

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Time Traveler for in absentia

Time Traveler

The first known use of in absentia was in 1886

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Statistics for in absentia

Last Updated

24 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 25 May. 2020.

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More Definitions for in absentia

in absentia

adverb
How to pronounce in absentia (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of in absentia

formal : without being present

See the full definition for in absentia in the English Language Learners Dictionary

in absentia

adverb
in ab·​sen·​tia | \ ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə How to pronounce in absentia (audio) \

Legal Definition of in absentia

: in absence sentenced in absentia

History and Etymology for in absentia

Latin

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