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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
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Loan forgiveness doesn’t fix any of this.— Michael Carbonara, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2026
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Now, one of his relatives is offering forgiveness to the driver charged in his death.— Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The amnesty comes a week after Min Aung Hlaing was sworn into office following an election that critics say was neither free nor fair and was orchestrated to keep the military's iron grip on power.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
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In recent weeks, the city has explored a range of revenue-generating measures — from making outdoor dining permanent and streamlining business permits to offering tax amnesty and raising its hotel tax.— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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There was no sign former leader Aung San Suu Kyi would be freed or if the pardon would include the thousands of political detainees imprisoned for opposing military rule.— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
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He was released in a mass pardon in 2024.— Jane Lytvynenko, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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