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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Example Sentences
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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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At the end of regret-flow plotlines, husbands tend to beg their wives for forgiveness by dropping to their knees.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
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In South Texas, blood runs deeper, forgiveness is fleeting, and the cost of survival might just be your soul, per the logline.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Salazar, who is currently running for reelection has faced criticism from her Republican colleagues who describe her Dignity Act as a broad amnesty for immigrants in the country illegally.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
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But these pundits deserve no amnesty.—
David A. Graham,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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McCrory also floated the possibility of Henry starting a new program at Blue Hills to help people obtain judicial pardons.—
Andrew Brown,
Hartford Courant,
27 Apr. 2026
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Herzog has been under intense pressure both to issue a pardon from Netanyahu’s supporters and to deny him one from his opponents and those worried about equality under the law.—
Galit Altstein,
Bloomberg,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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