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
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
That translucent fable of absolution is now being challenged, in Riefenstahl’s own words, by way of an audaciously illuminating documentary from native German writer-director, Andres Veiel, who gained unprecedented access to the late subject’s estate.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
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
That translucent fable of absolution is now being challenged, in Riefenstahl’s own words, by way of an audaciously illuminating documentary from native German writer-director, Andres Veiel, who gained unprecedented access to the late subject’s estate.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
Honorable mention in the forgiveness category went to Judge Kathleen Coffey, founder of the Homeless Court at Boston’s Pine Street Inn.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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To be eligible, you must have been employed with an eligible company during the SAVE plan pause and be close enough to forgiveness that making those payments would get you to 10 years, which is 120 months.—
Claire Rafford,
IndyStar,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In one instance, after spending four months in 1986 successfully lobbying lawmakers in Washington to pass the Immigration Reform and Control Act that granted amnesty to undocumented immigrants, Huerta said, she wasn’t invited to a news conference to celebrate the win.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The amnesty showed how quickly money can still a city and attract investment.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The president later granted Stone a full pardon.—
Mary Ramsey,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Mar. 2026
-
As governor, Moore himself issued a mass pardon for misdemeanor drug convictions.—
Steve Inskeep,
NPR,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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