Definition

1. Noun:
   • The formal act of forgiving or being forgiven for sins: In Christian theology, particularly within the sacrament of Penance or Confession, "absolution" refers to the pronouncement by a priest that grants God's forgiveness to a repentant sinner.
   • The state of being formally forgiven: It can also describe the resulting condition of having one's sins remitted or pardoned through this religious rite.
   • General forgiveness or release from blame: More broadly, it can mean a formal declaration of forgiveness or freedom from guilt, obligation, or consequences.

Usage and Examples

• Religious context (most common):
  • The priest granted him absolution after he confessed his sins.
  • She sought absolution for her wrongdoings.
• Formal or literary context:
  • The king offered absolution to the rebels who surrendered.
  • He felt a need for some form of absolution from his past mistakes.

Advanced Usage

• "To grant/give absolution": The formal act of pronouncing forgiveness.
  • Only a bishop could grant absolution in that particular case.
• "To seek/receive absolution": The act of asking for or obtaining formal forgiveness.
  • The penitent received absolution and left the confessional in peace.

Variants and Related Words

• Absolve (verb): To formally pronounce free from guilt or blame; to pardon.
  • The court absolved him of all responsibility for the accident.
• Absolutory (adjective, rare): Granting absolution.
  • The absolutory prayer marked the end of the ritual.

Synonyms

• Forgiveness: The act of forgiving.
• Pardon: An official release from the penalty of an offense.
• Remission: The cancellation of a debt, charge, or penalty.
• Exoneration: The action of officially absolving someone from blame.

Antonyms

• Condemnation: The expression of very strong disapproval; sentencing to a punishment.
• Conviction: A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense.
• Blame: Responsibility for a fault or wrong.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Act of absolution": Refers specifically to the formal, often ritualistic, pronouncement of forgiveness.
  • The final part of the sacrament is the act of absolution.
• "Absolution of sins": A common collocation specifying what is being forgiven.
  • They prayed for the absolution of their sins.

Noun

1. the act of absolving or remitting; formal redemption as pronounced by a priest in the sacrament of penance
2. the condition of being formally forgiven by a priest in the sacrament of penance