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
As both Lawrence and Segel tease, all three characters are steering toward an emotional journey that may or may not end with absolution or reconciliation.
—
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 16 Oct. 2024
Garner’s version of the character (who has since been played by Elodie Yung on Netflix) isn’t particularly well regarded by fans, but the character’s poor reception plays into her story here as someone searching for absolution and a way to bring her story to fruition.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 25 July 2024
But in seeking absolution before death, Protestant suicides-by-proxy were pursuing a Catholic goal.
—Katrina Gulliver, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 2023
The Saints are coming off of a 51-27 drubbing by Tampa Bay last Sunday and are certainly looking for some absolution from their gridiron sins.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absolution 
Nick Caruso, TVLine, 16 Oct. 2024
Garner’s version of the character (who has since been played by Elodie Yung on Netflix) isn’t particularly well regarded by fans, but the character’s poor reception plays into her story here as someone searching for absolution and a way to bring her story to fruition.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 25 July 2024
But in seeking absolution before death, Protestant suicides-by-proxy were pursuing a Catholic goal.
—Katrina Gulliver, JSTOR Daily, 13 Mar. 2023
The Saints are coming off of a 51-27 drubbing by Tampa Bay last Sunday and are certainly looking for some absolution from their gridiron sins.
—Chris Morris, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
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Experts advise borrowers to stay informed, maintain accurate records of their loans and prepare for possible policy shifts that could impact repayment and forgiveness programs.—
Justin Gest,
Newsweek,
10 Feb. 2025
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Her compassion and forgiveness and understanding are an outgrowth of her love for him as a friend and probably her closest friend.—
Jessica Radloff,
Glamour,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Lincoln’s successor, Andrew Johnson, swiftly granted an amnesty to most former Confederate citizens, restoring all rights to property (except enslaved people).—
Scott Spillman,
The New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2025
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Part of the agreement under which Junts backs Sanchez’s government was an amnesty against prosecution related to past attempts to secure Catalonia’s secession from Spain.—
Dermot Corrigan,
The Athletic,
13 Jan. 2025
Noun
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If anything, Trump’s pardon created a rare and temporary sense of unity among Illinois Democrats and Republicans who decried the president’s move.—
Jeremy Gorner,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
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Those included promising not to seek a pardon for Edward Snowden, regularly updating the Senate Intel committee on her foreign travel and working with the panel to reauthorize Section 702 of FISA.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
12 Feb. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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