in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: 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
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.
Leonid Volkov, who led the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation between 2021-23, was sentenced in absentia to 18 years in prison, fined about $25,000 and banned from using the internet for 10 years on 40 criminal counts. Arkansas Online, 12 June 2025 All three - respectively aged 91, 93 and 85 - were sentenced in absentia. Reuters, CNN Money, 4 June 2025 The court will have the power to hold trials in absentia, though anyone convicted without being in the custody of the tribunal would have the right to a retrial. Molly Quell, Los Angeles Times, 9 May 2025 Aliens ordered removed in absentia would pay a minimum of $5,000 under the bill. Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in absentia

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in absentia was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

in absentia

adverb
in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!