absolute

Complete or total, with nothing missing and no limits or exceptions.

• The room was in absolute darkness.
• He demanded absolute silence during the test.
• We cannot predict the result with absolute certainty.

Similar words: complete, total, utter

Opposites: partial

Common phrases: absolute silence, absolute power, absolute certainty, absolute disaster

True or fixed on its own, without depending on comparisons, other standards, or conditions.

• Is there an absolute standard of beauty?
• The theory rejects the idea of absolute knowledge.
• They compared absolute values rather than percentage changes.

Similar words: independent, nonrelative

Opposites: relative

Common phrases: absolute truth, absolute value, absolute standard, absolute principle

Having a quality in its fullest, most perfect form, without any fault.

• She aimed for absolute perfection.
• The sample had to meet a standard of absolute purity.
• The philosopher described an ideal of absolute beauty.

Similar words: perfect, pure, flawless

Opposites: imperfect

Common phrases: absolute purity, absolute perfection, absolute beauty, absolute liberty

A truth or rule believed to apply in every situation, regardless of other conditions.

• She believes in moral absolutes.
• He treated honesty as an absolute.
• Are there any absolutes in human behavior?

Similar words: universal truth, universal principle

Common phrases: moral absolute, no absolutes, ethical absolute, accept an absolute

Something believed to exist on its own, without depending on anything else.

• The philosopher sought the absolute.
• They described an absolute beyond time and space.
• Her theory treats the mind as an independent absolute.

Common phrases: the absolute, an eternal absolute, belief in absolutes