remission

American  

[ri-mish-uhn] / rɪˈmɪʃ ən /

noun

1. the act of remitting.

2. pardon; forgiveness, as of sins or offenses.

   Synonyms:

   absolution

   Antonyms:

   censure, blame

3. abatement or diminution, as of diligence, labor, intensity, etc.

   Synonyms:

   relaxation

   Antonyms:

   intensification

4. the relinquishment of a payment, obligation, etc.

   Synonyms:

   release

5. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a temporary or permanent decrease or subsidence of manifestations of a disease.

   2. a period during which such a decrease or subsidence occurs.

      The patient's leukemia was in remission.

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remission British  

/ rɪˈmɪʃən, rɪˈmɪtəl /

noun

1. the act of remitting or state of being remitted

2. a reduction of the term of a sentence of imprisonment, as for good conduct

   he got three years' remission

3. forgiveness for sin

4. discharge or release from penalty, obligation, etc

5. lessening of intensity; abatement, as in the severity of symptoms of a disease

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remission Scientific  

/ rĭ-mĭsh′ən /

1. Abatement or subsiding of the symptoms of a disease.

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remission Cultural  

1. A period in the course of a disease when symptoms become less severe.

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Usage

What is remission? In medicine, remission refers to a temporary or permanent decrease in the symptoms of a disease. Remission also refers to a release from a penalty or obligation, as in Fang was relieved when the bank gave him remission for the late fees on his car loan. Remission can also refer to the forgiveness of sin, as in The remission of sin is granted by the Church. Example: After four years of fighting cancer, I finally entered remission last week.

Discover More

The term remission is often used in speaking of sufferers from leukemia or other cancers whose symptoms lessen or disappear. In such a case, the disease is said to be “in remission.” The period of remission may last only briefly or may extend over several months or years.

Other Word Forms

• nonremission noun
• remissive adjective
• remissively adverb

Etymology

Origin of remission

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin remissiōn-, stem of remissiō; equivalent to remiss + -ion

Example Sentences

Sydney-based AI consultant Conyngham told AFP that eight-year-old Rosie's mast cell cancer is now in partial remission and her biggest tumour has shrunk dramatically.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

I achieved remission, but that was only two years and seven months ago.

From Slate • Mar. 29, 2026

People who achieved remission without weight loss appeared to boost this hormone system naturally, while reducing the influence of other hormones that raise glucose levels.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

Jonas went into remission that April and immediately dove into his creative process, setting “Restart” alongside a previously developed piece titled “Mind Cry.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

After five years of treatment, the drug appeared to chase the cancer into remission.

From "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom

Related Words

• absolution
• amnesty
• exemption
• exoneration
• forgiveness
• reprieve