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
Many women who weighed in have welcomed the message of absolution.
—
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Whatever absolution could be provided in the deaths of Michael, Marcy and Jennifer Jacobs or the disappearance of Ricky McCarthy would still mean something to their families.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
His critics say that a man who fired a shot into a crowd deserves no absolution, regardless of his prior service to the country.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2025
Needless to say, the current White House occupant, an actual member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (though Emmy-less himself), is offering no such absolution.
—Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Whatever absolution could be provided in the deaths of Michael, Marcy and Jennifer Jacobs or the disappearance of Ricky McCarthy would still mean something to their families.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
His critics say that a man who fired a shot into a crowd deserves no absolution, regardless of his prior service to the country.
—Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2025
Needless to say, the current White House occupant, an actual member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (though Emmy-less himself), is offering no such absolution.
—Bruce Handy, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
Then-Bruins head coach Pat Burns had little forgiveness for a young Thornton’s poor defensive habits and lack of physicality.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
2 June 2026
-
They'll be locked into standard payment plans, which can mean higher monthly payments without any chance of forgiveness.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
In a society traumatized by the violence of the last 70 years, the new president came to power seeking to resume the path established by the 2016 peace agreement, in which about 13,000 FARC combatants and sympathizers exchanged armed struggle for amnesty and state protection.—
Roberto Andrés,
The Dial,
28 May 2026
-
There is no blanket amnesty and no path to citizenship through the Dignity Program — a key concession to conservatives.—
Andrew Tisch,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
Noun
-
John Oliver‘s Last Week Tonight last night went deep on Donald Trump‘s use of presidential pardon power.—
Tony Maglio,
HollywoodReporter,
1 June 2026
-
If the goal of pardons is to allow supporters, political allies, or family members and friends to walk away from the consequences of their actions, conditional pardons will not be adopted.—
Robert Radick,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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