in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: in absence
gave him the award in absentia

Examples of in absentia in a Sentence

She was convicted of the crime in absentia.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Morgan Wallen, who is among the most popular artists in music, won CMA’s Entertainer of the Year Award — country’s top prize — in absentia, three years after being rebuked by the genre’s gatekeepers. Marissa R. Moss, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2025 She is accused of fatally shooting and stabbing them, as well as injuring a third child who survived and told police of their ordeal, and has been charged in absentia of seven counts, include two first degree murder charges. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 24 Jan. 2025 The city's infamous runaway dog will be the grand marshal in absentia of Barkus. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 25 Feb. 2025 After her conviction, Porter was sentenced in absentia to 17.5 years in December. Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for in absentia

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in absentia was in 1886

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

in absentia

adverb
in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen-chə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: in absence
sentenced in absentia
Etymology

Latin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!