absolute

adjective

ˈab-sə-ˌlüt How to pronounce absolute (audio)
Definition of absolutenext
1
as in arbitrary
exercising power or authority without interference by others Russia's absolute monarchy effectively ceased to be when Czar Nicholas II promised to share power with a legislative body

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2
as in unconditional
having no exceptions or restrictions ironing is an absolute bore I want the absolute truth

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3
as in perfect
being entirely without fault or flaw a formal living room decorated with absolute taste

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4
as in pure
free from added matter absolute alcohol

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5
as in conclusive
serving to put an end to all debate or questioning absolute proof of her innocence

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of absolute In any office environment that can range from boiling to frigid, smart layering is an absolute necessity. — Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 20 Oct. 2026 Participants who used testosterone had a higher risk of heart disease than non-users, but the absolute risk was still very low. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Oct. 2026 Their 2-4 record will meet with Dallas’ next Monday night in a game that all of a sudden spells absolute disaster for the losing team. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026 The game-clock miscue seemed absolute after replays proved one second remained when Notre Dame’s final pass fell incomplete. — Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for absolute
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absolute
  1. arbitrary
  2. unconditional
  3. perfect
  4. pure
  5. conclusive
  6. oppressive
  7. utter
  8. ideal
Adjective
  • The 2-1 decision rejected Anthropic's argument that the Department of Defense's ban on its Claude models was arbitrary, unauthorized and unconstitutional.
    — Lora Kolodny, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2026
  • But labor campaigners said in the statement that their wage demand wasn’t arbitrary.
    — Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • Here, the defining aspect of Benjamin Button’s strange existence is love — lucky, steady, unconditional.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • In 2024, Michigan State launched Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional prenatal and infant cash program.
    — Mona Hanna, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • The loss spelled the end of the Chiefs’ perfect 5-0 start to the season.
    — Jeff Rosen, Kansas City Star, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Sheet cake recipes are the easiest way to feed dessert to a crowd, meaning this recipe is perfect for the holidays.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • In My Own Words is a product of the enchantment and pure yearning Ne-Yo saw as fundamental to R&B.
    — Clover Hope, Pitchfork, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The 100% pure, therapeutic-grade essential oils are crafted to deliver long-lasting, natural fragrance.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • But Min’s team still had doubts to address before making any conclusive claims.
    — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For Hoffman, the evening’s results were encouraging but not necessarily conclusive, and the extensive use of guarantees should be taken with a grain of salt.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Thomas shocks Vision back to life, but this somehow alerts Butcherbird; Vision’s mindscape fills with oppressive red lighting, ominously circling birds, and TVs crackling with static.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The tropical sun was oppressive, but company representatives were prepared with orange parasols, each with a dedicated barcode.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • These accusations are utter nonsense, concocted from distortions, half-truths and lies.
    — Kathleen Parker, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The board’s first mission—to pacify and bring lawful governance to Gaza—has been an utter failure.
    — Charles Kupchan, Foreign Affairs, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Under ideal conditions, electrons are slowed in their passage through the electron transport chain just enough that their energy can be transferred.
    — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Unlike ideal simulations, which assume quantum operations can be performed without errors, the new work models the disturbances that physical quantum processors encounter during calculations.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of ideal

Browse Nearby Words

absents oneself
absolute
absolutely
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Cite this Entry

“Absolute.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absolute. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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