in absentia
adverb
in ab·sen·tia
ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə 
: in absence
gave them the award in absentia
Examples of in absentia in a Sentence
She was convicted of the crime in absentia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Last November, a court in Dhaka sentenced Hasina to death in absentia for her role in the unrest, in which the UN human rights office estimates around 1,400 people were killed.
—
Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court three times but failed to appear, resulting in an immigration judge ordering him removed from the country in absentia, ICE said.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Panahi, who was recently sentenced in absentia in Iran to one year in prison, was among the signatories.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Panahi was sentenced, in absentia, to a year in prison and given a two-year work ban by the Iranian government in December.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in absentia
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Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
Temah was ordered to appear in immigration court three times but failed to appear, resulting in an immigration judge ordering him removed from the country in absentia, ICE said.
—Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 4 Feb. 2026
Panahi, who was recently sentenced in absentia in Iran to one year in prison, was among the signatories.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 1 Feb. 2026
Panahi was sentenced, in absentia, to a year in prison and given a two-year work ban by the Iranian government in December.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for in absentia
Cite this Entry
“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
in absentia
adverb
in ab·sen·tia
ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology
Latin
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