absolution

noun

ab·​so·​lu·​tion ˌab-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce absolution (audio)
: the act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful : the act of absolving someone or the state of being absolved
specifically : a remission of sins pronounced by a priest (as in the sacrament of reconciliation)
The rite of confessing one's sins to a priest and receiving absolution … is also recognized as a sacrament in the Anglican and Orthodox Christian traditions. Peter Steinfels

Did you know?

Since the Latin absolutus meant "set free", it's easy to see how absolution came to mean "set free from sin". (And also easy to see why absolute means basically "pure"—that is, originally, "free of sin".) The verb for absolution is absolve. Just as a priest absolves believers of their sins, you may absolve your brother of blame for a household disaster, or you yourself may in time be absolved for that scrape on the car backing out of a parking space.

Examples of absolution in a Sentence

He asked the priest to give him absolution for his sins. 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
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Persistent Realities of Inequities But acknowledgment is not absolution, and ambition is not justice. Lenwood V. Long, Sr., Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 Time will tell if that is enough to earn absolution from Leeds fans. Nancy Froston, The Athletic, 20 Aug. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for absolution 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English absoluciun, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin absolūtiōn-, absolūtiō "completion, acquittal, release," from absolū- (stem, before consonants, of absolvere "to set free, acquit, finish") + -tiōn-, -tiō suffix of action nouns — more at absolve

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of absolution was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near absolution

Cite this Entry

“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absolution. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

absolution

noun
ab·​so·​lu·​tion ˌab-sə-ˈlü-shən How to pronounce absolution (audio)
: the act of absolving
especially : a forgiving of sins

More from Merriam-Webster on absolution

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