absolute

/'æbsəlu:t/
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absolute

The monarch issued an absolute decree to his subjects.

Definition
  1. Adjective:

    • Complete and without restriction or qualification: Used to describe something that is total, unlimited, or unconditional.
    • Not limited by law; having total power: Describing a ruler or system of government with unrestricted authority.
    • Perfect, pure, or unmixed: Used to describe something in its most fundamental or unadulterated state.
    • Expressing finality with no implication of possible change: Describing something that is definitive and not subject to alteration.
    • Not capable of being violated or infringed: Describing rights or principles that are inviolable.
  2. Noun:

    • A fundamental principle or reality conceived as independent and not relative: Something that exists or is true without depending on anything else and is beyond human control.
Examples of Usage
  • Adjective:

    • She demanded absolute silence during the exam.
    • The dictator ruled with absolute power.
    • This is absolute proof of his innocence.
    • You have my absolute support in this matter.
    • The bottle was labeled "absolute alcohol."
  • Noun:

    • Philosophers have long debated the nature of the absolute.
    • For him, justice was an absolute, not a relative concept.
Advanced Usage
  • "absolute zero": The lowest theoretically possible temperature (0 Kelvin, -273.15°C).
    • Scientists are studying matter near absolute zero.
  • "absolute majority": A majority over all rivals combined; more than half.
    • The party won an absolute majority in parliament.
  • "absolute pitch": The ability to identify or sing a musical note without a reference tone.
    • The composer was said to have absolute pitch.
Variants and Related Words
  • Absolutely (adverb): Completely, totally, or without doubt.
    • I absolutely agree with you.
  • Absolutism (noun): A political doctrine or system where unlimited, complete power is held by a central authority.
    • The history class covered the era of absolutism in Europe.
  • Absolutist (noun/adjective): (A person) relating to or supporting absolute principles.
    • He was an absolutist in matters of ethics.
Synonyms
  • Complete: Having all necessary parts; entire.
  • Total: Comprising the whole number or amount.
  • Unconditional: Not subject to any conditions.
  • Sheer: Nothing other than; unmitigated (e.g., ).
  • Utter: Complete; absolute (often used for negative qualities, e.g., ).
Antonyms
  • Relative: Considered in relation or in proportion to something else.
  • Partial: Existing only in part; incomplete.
  • Qualified: Limited or modified in some way.
  • Conditional: Subject to one or more conditions or requirements being met.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Absolute power corrupts absolutely: A saying meaning that unlimited power tends to make the person who has it corrupt.
    • The scandal proved that absolute power corrupts absolutely.
  • In absolute terms: Considered independently, not in comparison to other things.
    • In absolute terms, the cost is high, but it's worth the investment.
absolute

The monarch issued an absolute decree to his subjects.

Adjective
  1. not capable of being violated or infringed
    • infrangible human rights
  2. expressing finality with no implication of possible change
    • an absolute guarantee to respect the nation's authority
  3. not limited by law
    • an absolute monarch
  4. complete and without restriction or qualification; sometimes used informally as intensifiers
    • absolute freedom
    • an absolute dimwit
    • a downright lie
    • out-and-out mayhem
    • an out-and-out lie
    • a rank outsider
    • many right-down vices
    • got the job through sheer persistence
    • sheer stupidity
  5. perfect or complete or pure
    • absolute loyalty
    • absolute silence
    • absolute truth
    • absolute alcohol
Noun
  1. something that is conceived or that exists independently and not in relation to other things; something that does not depend on anything else and is beyond human control; something that is not relative
    • no mortal being can influence the absolute