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
Instead there was a focus on identitarian politics, as though an acknowledgement of one’s whiteness, a telling of one’s awareness of racist histories, can act as absolution from them.
—
Emily Van Duyne
july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Some will take the jury's verdict as absolution for Combs' overarching actions.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 3 July 2025
But while visitors may find plenty of reasons to feel remorse when their Vegas sojourn ends, absolution might be found in the city’s renewable energy boom.
—Max Bearak, New York Times, 24 June 2025
The 47-year-old rapper and fashion mogul posted a series of messages on social media, asking for absolution while expressing a newfound stance of inclusivity and remorse.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Emily Van Duyne
july 24, Literary Hub, 24 July 2025
Some will take the jury's verdict as absolution for Combs' overarching actions.
—Sheldon Pearce, NPR, 3 July 2025
But while visitors may find plenty of reasons to feel remorse when their Vegas sojourn ends, absolution might be found in the city’s renewable energy boom.
—Max Bearak, New York Times, 24 June 2025
The 47-year-old rapper and fashion mogul posted a series of messages on social media, asking for absolution while expressing a newfound stance of inclusivity and remorse.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
The agreement may allow more of those borrowers to qualify for forgiveness.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The view count was still climbing when Malone drove a few towns over and shot himself in the head in the front seat of his Dodge Challenger, leaving a note to his wife and young children asking for their forgiveness.—
Daniel Kolitz,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Back in July, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins dismissed the possibility of amnesty for farmworkers — and shrugged off the idea that foreign workers are needed in the agriculture sector.—
Patricia Lopez,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Hamas members who disarm could receive amnesty or safe passage abroad.—
Cameron Schoppa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Here, there was a consensus across the political spectrum, with 88% of Democrats, 86% of Republicans and 85% of independents opposing a pardon.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Even House Speaker Mike Johnson, who otherwise has humored Trump at every turn, has expressed revulsion at the idea of a pardon.—
Robin Abcarian,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 3 Nov. 2025.
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