in absentia

adverb

in ab·​sen·​tia ˌin-ab-ˈsen(t)-sh(ē-)ə How to pronounce in absentia (audio)
: in absence
gave them 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.
On March 30, 2026, a French court sentenced the Chinese captain in absentia to one year in prison and issued an arrest warrant after convicting him of failing to comply with orders to stop his ship. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 6 July 2026 In October, Fritsch was sentenced in absentia to 15 years in federal prison, fined $35,000 and ordered to pay $26,806,901 in restitution. Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 For an in absentia order to be issued, the immigration judge must find that the person was properly notified. Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026 Given the national team’s pitiful demise at the Oval, with New Zealand completing victory on the fifth morning, Ben Stokes’ revival in absentia feels like the only consolation from a miserable week. Hector Vickers, New York Times, 21 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for in absentia

Word History

Etymology

Latin

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of in absentia was in 1698

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“In absentia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/in%20absentia. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster