as in forgiveness
release from the guilt or penalty of an offense
the jury's verdict of "not guilty" was absolution in the eyes of the law, but the verdict would always be "guilty" in the court of public opinion
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of absolution
The show pursues this dream to the point of absurdity, holding out hope for Serena’s absolution long past the point when a reasonable observer would have abandoned it.
—
Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
Dolly de Leon's performance in Triangle of Sadness is groundbreaking — here's why
De Leon stars in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 as Agnes, an ex-nun seeking absolution.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
To depict him as a victim of manipulation grants him an unearned absolution.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
The road to Trump begins, in some moral sense, with the absolution of Nixon.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Moira Donegan, New Yorker, 11 Apr. 2025
Dolly de Leon's performance in Triangle of Sadness is groundbreaking — here's why
De Leon stars in Nine Perfect Strangers season 2 as Agnes, an ex-nun seeking absolution.
—Randall Colburn, EW.com, 21 May 2025
To depict him as a victim of manipulation grants him an unearned absolution.
—Nikhil Krishnan, New Yorker, 31 Mar. 2025
The road to Trump begins, in some moral sense, with the absolution of Nixon.
—Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
Even Hinton’s father asked for forgiveness on behalf of his family.—
David Ferrara,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Instead, new student loans will be given the option to pay back the loans between 10 and 25 years (the duration fluctuates based on the loan balance at graduation), as well as an option to have student loan forgiveness after 30 years of payments.—
Nathan Goldman,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
European powers had withdrawn the crew’s belligerent status, and the new American president, Andrew Johnson, had excluded them from the general amnesty offered to Confederate soldiers.—
Francine Uenuma,
Smithsonian Magazine,
23 June 2025
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The state is reviving a tax amnesty program and diverting $137 million from the road fund to cover state employee health benefits, a move analysts warn could weaken long-term infrastructure funding.—
Elaine Mallon,
The Washington Examiner,
16 June 2025
Noun
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Todd and Julie were released from prison on May 28 after receiving full pardons from President Donald Trump one day prior.—
Stephanie Wenger,
People.com,
29 June 2025
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On May 28, Tanner Mansell and John Moore Jr. were two of the sixteen recipients of Trump’s full pardons after the pair were convicted in 2020 of theft of property within special maritime jurisdiction.—
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten,
FOXNews.com,
28 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.
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