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
Peter has trapped his sibling in a vicious cycle of need, one meant to foster some form of absolution for his secrets.
—
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 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
But clearly Ray does need some sort of absolution, and his confession to his brother is that first step.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
That translucent fable of absolution is now being challenged, in Riefenstahl’s own words, by way of an audaciously illuminating documentary from native German writer-director, Andres Veiel, who gained unprecedented access to the late subject’s estate.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Hunter Ingram, Variety, 8 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
But clearly Ray does need some sort of absolution, and his confession to his brother is that first step.
—Jocelyn Noveck, Boston Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
That translucent fable of absolution is now being challenged, in Riefenstahl’s own words, by way of an audaciously illuminating documentary from native German writer-director, Andres Veiel, who gained unprecedented access to the late subject’s estate.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
However, veterans may qualify for some types of debt relief or forgiveness under certain circumstances.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Student loan forgiveness is taxable again.—
Sarah Agostino,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Greece temporarily suspended asylum claims from migrants arriving via the Libya route for three months, scrapped certain amnesty provisions and introduced mandatory imprisonment for asylum seekers whose claims are rejected.—
LEFTERIS PITARAKIS,
Arkansas Online,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Greece temporarily suspended asylum claims from migrants arriving via the Libya route for three months, scrapped certain amnesty provisions and introduced mandatory imprisonment for asylum seekers whose claims are rejected.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That matters because presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses, not state cases.—
Dante Motley,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Feb. 2026
-
The case was dismissed in December 2023 after President Joe Biden granted him a pardon as part of a prisoner swap with Venezuela.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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