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 clergy could expect the fulfillment of prophecy, and the poor and the oppressed could look forward to absolution and better living quarters.
—
Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Large crowds turned out in northern India on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela that drew a total of 663 million people seeking absolution of their sins by taking a dip in waters that devout Hindus consider sacred.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
The result is an absolution of guilt, meaning the conviction is wiped out.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Instead, her transition is framed as an absolution, used as a tool for deception, and made to be the reason for her redemption and saint-like anointing at the end.
—Samantha Allen, Them, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Arthur Krystal, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Large crowds turned out in northern India on Wednesday for the last day of the six-week Maha Kumbh Mela that drew a total of 663 million people seeking absolution of their sins by taking a dip in waters that devout Hindus consider sacred.
—Reuters, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025
The result is an absolution of guilt, meaning the conviction is wiped out.
—Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Instead, her transition is framed as an absolution, used as a tool for deception, and made to be the reason for her redemption and saint-like anointing at the end.
—Samantha Allen, Them, 3 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
Nicky has been on her path and on her process of self discovery and self forgiveness.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
30 May 2025
-
This is the work of healing behind the curtain: spiritual hygiene, emotional clarity, and forgiveness.—
Colin Bedell,
Them.,
28 May 2025
Noun
-
Some states offer amnesty programs, often called voluntary disclosure agreements, to encourage property holder compliance.—
Jon D'Amato,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
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On the revenue side, a tax amnesty program that would allow delinquent filers to pay off their tax debt without penalties is expected to generate $228 million in one-time money for the state.—
Dan Petrella,
Chicago Tribune,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
The White House confirmed Tuesday that pardon attorney Ed Martin would be reviewing Biden’s pardons for his family members, as well as some other clemencies granted during his final days in office.—
Brett Samuels,
The Hill,
5 June 2025
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All of which can be read as an attempt by Trump to potentially overturn vast swaths of actions during his predecessor’s term, from pardons to executive orders and more — essentially erasing Biden from the legislative and policy books.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 13 Jun. 2025.
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