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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Recent Examples of absolution
The priest goes with the mestizo, but the man refuses confession and dies without absolution.
—
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
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
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
Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 Apr. 2026
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
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
-
For the past three years, Costa, Celeboglu and Simmonds developed the story and script to capture a young deaf girl’s authentic experience as the film examines themes including the complexity of love, violence and forgiveness.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
16 June 2026
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During the interview, it was noted that society continues to grapple with questions surrounding accountability, forgiveness and whether public figures who have behaved badly should be welcomed back into people's lives.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Christian legislators demanded amnesty for hundreds of citizens who fled to Israel after its forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2000.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 June 2026
-
In January, Rodríguez announced plans to transform El Helicoide into a social and sports center as part of a broader political opening that included an amnesty initiative for political prisoners later approved by the National Assembly.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
Sentenced to 15 years, she was freed in 2018 after obtaining a presidential pardon.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
Roman emperors, sometimes urged on by the crowd, were known to grant pardons (to criminals) and freedom (to the enslaved) after an especially noteworthy performance.—
Cullen Murphy,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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