absolution

[ ab-suh-loo-shuhn ]

/ ˌæb səˈlu ʃən /

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See synonyms for absolution on Thesaurus.com

noun

act of absolving; a freeing from blame or guilt; release from consequences, obligations, or penalties.

state of being absolved.

Roman Catholic Theology.

a remission of sin or of the punishment for sin, made by a priest in the sacrament of penance on the ground of authority received from Christ.
the formula declaring such remission.

Protestant Theology. a declaration or assurance of divine forgiveness to penitent believers, made after confession of sins.

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Origin of absolution

1175–1225; Middle English absolucion<Latin absolūtiōn- (stem of absolūtiō) acquittal. See absolute, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM absolution

non·ab·so·lu·tion, noun

Words nearby absolution

absolute threshold, absolute unit, absolute value, absolute viscosity, absolute zero, absolution, absolutism, absolutive, absolutize, absolutory, absolve

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use absolution in a sentence

Like many of Schrader’s antiheroes, from Taxi Driver’s Travis Bickle to the eco-conscious Pastor Ernst Toller of First Reformed, William is a haunted diarist in search of absolution.
‘The Card Counter’ Asks Whether an Abu Ghraib Torturer Is Worthy of a Second Chance|Marlow Stern|September 2, 2021|The Daily Beast
The full 108 takes most pilgrims about four full days, a relatively small fee for absolute absolution.
The Secret to Happiness? Thinking About Death.|Michael Easter|May 13, 2021|Outside Online
Then he threw in one that seemed to me an odd item for which to seek absolution: technological innovation.
Millennials Have A Lot of Problems, But Tech Isn't One|Kristen Soltis Anderson|May 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Revising the second novel, Fallen Land, after the reviews were out for Absolution made it a much less overwhelming process.
Patrick Flanery: How I Write|Noah Charney|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST

What drew you to South Africa as the setting for Absolution?
Patrick Flanery: How I Write|Noah Charney|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
My agent suggested I try to have a completed draft of a second novel before Absolution was published.
Patrick Flanery: How I Write|Noah Charney|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
When I was writing Absolution, I knew almost no other writers of fiction, and felt a distinct lack of community.
Patrick Flanery: How I Write|Noah Charney|May 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
“Well, mistakes is humant,” sighed Sol, taking advantage of that universal absolution.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
In the course of time, absolution for the sacrilege was obtained from the Pope; but my father could never obtain it from himself.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
The friars had power of absolution, independently of the bishop; and it was a bitter grievance.
Chaucer's Works, Volume 1 (of 7) -- Romaunt of the Rose; Minor Poems|Geoffrey Chaucer
During the night he was visited by the Prior of the Dominicans, from whom, having made confession, he received absolution.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond
But the terms of this secret and the conditions of my absolution are peculiar.
Legends and Tales|Bret Harte

British Dictionary definitions for absolution

absolution

/ (ˌæbsəˈluːʃən) /

noun

the act of absolving or the state of being absolved; release from guilt, obligation, or punishment

Christianity

a formal remission of sin pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
the prescribed form of words granting such a remission

Derived forms of absolution

absolutory (æbˈsɒljʊtərɪ, -trɪ), adjective

Word Origin for absolution

C12: from Latin absolūtiōn- acquittal, forgiveness of sins, from absolvere to absolve

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

absolution

Origin of absolution

OTHER WORDS FROM absolution

Words nearby absolution

Words related to absolution

How to use absolution in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for absolution

Derived forms of absolution

Word Origin for absolution