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
Reagan latched on to something deep in the national psyche—a need for absolution, perhaps, strongly felt in the dour nineteen-seventies.
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Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
Jack rings up Babe once more, hoping to convince her to grant him absolution.
—Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2024
There was a strongly confessional element to the TRC’s operation; sinners came to the hearings seeking absolution, and victims came seeking to forgive so they might be liberated from their pain.
—Sisonke Msimang, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
The soldier’s remorse is insufficient for absolution, but Folman could never hope to salvage any shred of his own humanity without acknowledging that of the innocent dead.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absolution 
Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024
Jack rings up Babe once more, hoping to convince her to grant him absolution.
—Manuel Betancourt, Vulture, 1 Feb. 2024
There was a strongly confessional element to the TRC’s operation; sinners came to the hearings seeking absolution, and victims came seeking to forgive so they might be liberated from their pain.
—Sisonke Msimang, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017
The soldier’s remorse is insufficient for absolution, but Folman could never hope to salvage any shred of his own humanity without acknowledging that of the innocent dead.
—Indiewire Staff, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for absolution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolution
Noun
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An adverse decision by the court could have much broader implications for student loan forgiveness under other IDR plans, as well.Adam S. Minsky, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024
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While the Department of Education has provided loan forgiveness for millions of Americans, the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, which filed the suit, says these students were left out of the loan cancellation plans without due process of law or considering the evidence from these borrowers.Nina Turner, Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2024
Noun
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The following year, Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, granting amnesty to millions of immigrants.Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024
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So far, two students have applied for and been granted amnesty under the policy, which took effect Sept. 9, said UA's Dean of Students Melissa Harwood-Rom.The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 13 Oct. 2024
Noun
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Perhaps a dual pardon of Hunter Biden and Trump would help that cause.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 4 Nov. 2024
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Another 10 states set up additional barriers, such as requiring a governor's pardon, or barring people with certain felony convictions from voting indefinitely.Melissa Santos, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Absolution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolution. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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