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

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in pure
free from added matter absolute alcohol

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Saxony-Anhalt, AfD is seeking an absolute majority in the state legislature. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 New cases per year, projected to grow by 14%, are rising more sharply in low-income countries, but absolute numbers remain higher in high-income countries. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 31 Aug. 2026 His enemies are named with both absolute specificity and absolute generality in close to every film. — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026 Combat was a highlight for me and an absolute departure from genre norms. — Gabriel Zamora, PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 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
  • While some of the color contrasts do articulate planar shifts, such as the candy-stripe lips (red for upper, pink for lower), many of the touches are arbitrary splotches that neither bolster a shape nor set another off.
    — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The choices of what to put in each episode — and when to cut from one timeline to another — have sometimes felt arbitrary, and have often disrupted the story’s overall flow.
    — Noel Murray, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of arbitrary
Adjective
  • The capitulation of Germany is at hand, the Third Reich's unconditional surrender just days away.
    — Danielle Parker, CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Despite his resolve to be gentler and kinder than Cotton, Hank still struggles to articulate his unconditional love to his son, Bobby.
    — Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconditional
Adjective
  • Wrigley Field is a perfect setting for a rom-com, since many young fans are looking for romance and not paying a whole lot of attention to the actual game.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Travis This name is perfect for fans of the Super Bowl-winning tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, Travis Kelce (or his famous girlfriend, Taylor Swift).
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of perfect
Adjective
  • Sanft argued his client’s account was pure fiction, and that investigators failed to quickly and vigorously corroborate it for a reason.
    — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Sep. 2026
  • These sneakers also come in a wide variety of colors and trims if pure white isn’t your thing.
    — Rebecca Shinners, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of pure
Adjective
  • Metagenomic testing on blood samples, which is also becoming more common, is not always conclusive; localized infections don’t always reach the bloodstream.
    — Jason Liebowitz, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2026
  • Officials concluded that the video did not offer conclusive proof that a person fell off the ship.
    — Curran Rastogi, ABC News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of conclusive
Adjective
  • Among those waiting to meet the president was Leon Czolgosz, a 28-year-old anarchist who considered the government oppressive.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • People seem to be craving the scent of something cooling and quenching, an olfactive promise that less oppressive weather lies ahead.
    — April Long, Allure, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of oppressive
Adjective
  • This Ninth — featuring the Los Angeles Master Chorale and four superb vocal soloists (Saioa Hernández, Tamara Mumford, David Portillo and Ryan Speedo Green) — became Beethoven, alive in the moment, an instrument of utter joy.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Sweet, aromatic, and bubblegum pink, this playful cocktail is the utter definition of fun.
    — Bradleigh Mobley, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of utter
Adjective
  • Viewers should then position themselves on an ideal vantage point with a good view of the sky facing north, ideally as far away as possible from cities or other sources of bright lights.
    — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
  • The culturally rich locale is ideal for curious travelers who’ll connect around Tianjin's dynamic history of creative artistry in music, film, art, and design through Patina’s Perpetual Journey program.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 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 4 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on absolute

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about absolute

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