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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Whitney Eulich, Christian Science Monitor, 9 Nov. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
At the end of regret-flow plotlines, husbands tend to beg their wives for forgiveness by dropping to their knees.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul, per the logline.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
On May 5, attorneys with the Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy said a Venezuelan court had denied amnesty measures requested on behalf of Quero Navas, who at the time was still officially considered missing.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
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There will be no more amnesty (pathway to citizenship) under my administration.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
The State Board of Pardons then held an emergency meeting on May 4, the day before his deportation date, to grant his pardon.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
Varga, as the justice minister, had signed his pardon.—
Nick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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