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
Many women who weighed in have welcomed the message of absolution.
—
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Whatever absolution could be provided in the deaths of Michael, Marcy and Jennifer Jacobs or the disappearance of Ricky McCarthy would still mean something to their families.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic, 10 Feb. 2026
Whatever absolution could be provided in the deaths of Michael, Marcy and Jennifer Jacobs or the disappearance of Ricky McCarthy would still mean something to their families.
—Graham Womack
updated January 15, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026
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
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
See All Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
-
While hope on the horizon is presented, this rich, deeply moving drama doesn’t shy away from forgiveness being something that cannot be easily forced, even when the will may be there, however far buried.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
19 May 2026
-
According to Panettiere, her mother instantly begged for forgiveness and tried to have the charges dropped, but to no avail.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The ceasefire plan includes provisions for voluntary buyback of weapons in Gaza, conditional amnesty for those who lay down their arms, and safe passage abroad for those unwilling to accept the framework.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
-
On May 5, attorneys with the Coalition for Human Rights and Democracy said a Venezuelan court had denied amnesty measures requested on behalf of Quero Navas, who at the time was still officially considered missing.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
But his prosecution came to an abrupt halt in December 2023, when President Joe Biden granted him a pardon as part of a prisoner exchange deal negotiated with Maduro’s regime.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
18 May 2026
-
Trump issued a pardon to Peters in December that was considered symbolic, because a president doesn't have jurisdiction over state-level crimes.—
Bente Birkeland,
NPR,
15 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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