absolute

adjective

ˈab-sə-ˌlüt How to pronounce absolute (audio)
Definition of absolutenext
1
as in arbitrary
exercising power or authority without interference by others Russia's absolute monarchy effectively ceased to be when Czar Nicholas II promised to share power with a legislative body

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unconditional
having no exceptions or restrictions ironing is an absolute bore I want the absolute truth

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3
as in perfect
being entirely without fault or flaw a formal living room decorated with absolute taste

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4
as in pure
free from added matter absolute alcohol

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5
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning absolute proof of her innocence

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of absolute Not only does Nolan draw from Jackman one of his best performances, the film itself is an absolute joy that revels in sleight-of-hand storytelling. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 One imagines Naipaul returning from Jonestown and San Francisco, shaping despair into limber, unforgettable sentences, approaching the absolute terror and humanity of his moment—and none of it mattered. — Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 14 July 2026 The narrative centers on the early careers and shifting dynamic between legendary figures Cao Cao and Yuan Shao as political corruption, peasant rebellions, and personal ambitions push the capital of Luoyang into absolute chaos. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 13 July 2026 In most times and places, authorities have hewed more to slaveholders’ conception of free speech as a limited privilege than to abolitionists’ assertion of an absolute right. — Paul Quigley, The Conversation, 13 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for absolute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolute
  1. arbitrary
  2. unconditional
  3. perfect
  4. pure
  5. conclusive
  6. oppressive
  7. utter
  8. ideal
Adjective
  • In previous work, Sarkar and his colleagues developed a method capable of self-testing arbitrary quantum states and measurements.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
  • Retirement experts caution, though, that any arbitrary savings goal is of limited use, more a guidepost than a hard target.
    — Daniel de Visé, USA Today, 18 July 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Crocker, who survived the 1983 bombing of the US embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, said that at this point an unconditional opening of the Strait of Hormuz to all maritime traffic should be the objective.
    — Monica Haider, CNN Money, 18 July 2026
  • Ramp, the corporate card and expense management company backed by Iconiq and valued at $44 billion, is now Senra’s largest advertiser and, by CEO Glyman’s own description, an unconditional backer.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 5 July 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • Despite Clarity’s choppy obstacle course, the tedious and frustrating tradition of counting votes and lining up bipartisan yeahs, Member by Member, is a tactic the crypto industry has time to employ and perfect.
    — Cleve Mesidor, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • The dinner theme is Paris, which is perfect for Joy, or at least should be.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • The achievement shows how OpenAI and other AI firms are heavily investing in pure mathematics as a way to benchmark the technology’s ascent towards reasoning—and the strange directions those efforts often take.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 14 July 2026
  • There were new artists emerging who were sort of pure electronic artists like Kraftwerk and Gary Numan and so on.
    — Peter Larsen, Daily News, 14 July 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • The film, the conclusive ending to the three Heartstopper seasons adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, is set to follow Charlie (Locke) and Nick (Connor)’s biggest relationship hurdle yet.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 14 July 2026
  • There’s no conclusive answer, and that’s something McElwee will have to live with.
    — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 10 July 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Underneath a sky of wildfire smoke and haze, the teams played through four hydration breaks, injury stoppages, oppressive summer heat and a patchy pitch.
    — Meg Linehan, New York Times, 17 July 2026
  • Tenet is a collection of Nolan’s most frustrating habits cranked to 11 — from an oppressive soundscape that eclipses dialogue, to stylish yet flat characters, to a narrative that’s confusingly twisty to the point of contortion.
    — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 16 July 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • The Springboks struggled to reflect their utter domination on the scoreboard and ought to have doubled their seven actual tries by seven different scorers.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 18 July 2026
  • The problem is Will Ferrell as Lonnie Hawkins, an utter miscalculation of characterization and performance chiefly responsible for turning what could be middling comedy into an unbearable slog.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 16 July 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Below it, there’s a wide concave base with a drainage hole that’s ideal for faux flowers, real flowers, or decorative rocks.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026
  • This is an ideal arrangement for handling bulky or messy supplies for projects, or for letting maintenance personnel into the home to work on the mechanical systems.
    — James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of ideal

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absents oneself
absolute
absolutely
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Cite this Entry

“Absolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolute. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on absolute

Nglish: Translation of absolute for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about absolute

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