remission

noun

re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
Synonyms of remissionnext
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Synonyms of remission

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Examples of remission in a Sentence

The patient is in remission. a temporary remission of symptoms He was given remission for good behavior.
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.
Smith, 24, shared the moment during an appearance Wednesday, July 29, on the Call Her Daddy podcast, saying Whimsy went into remission shortly after her 2nd birthday. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 29 July 2026 Fortunately, the cancer went into remission and Crystal remains cancer-free. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026 Modern chemotherapy often succeeds in driving the disease into remission, meaning doctors can no longer detect leukemia cells using standard laboratory tests. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 The actor battled blood cancer before announcing his remission in April. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for remission

Word History

Etymology

Middle English remissioun "release from obligation, forgiveness," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French remissiun, borrowed from Latin remissiōn-, remissiō "sending back, release, abatement, cancellation (of a debt)" (Late Latin, "forgiveness, as of sins"), from remittere "to send back, release, relax, waive (a debt, punishment)" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at remit entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of remission was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing remission

Rhymes for remission

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Browse Nearby Words

remissible
remission
Remission Thursday
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Cite this Entry

“Remission.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/remission. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
1
: the act or process of remitting
2
: a state or period during which something is remitted

Medical Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmish-ən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: a state or period during which the symptoms of a disease are abated
cancer in remission after treatment
compare arrest, cure entry 1 sense 1, intermission

Legal Definition

remission

noun
re·​mis·​sion ri-ˈmi-shən How to pronounce remission (audio)
: the act or process of remitting

More from Merriam-Webster on remission

Nglish: Translation of remission for Spanish Speakers

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