1
as in lack
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
the absence of volunteers to be troop leaders is putting the scouting program in real jeopardy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
the fact or state of being absent
in the absence of ferry service to the island, the ecotourists had to charter a plane
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 absence
In the absence of geological evidence, though, Johnson thinks reliance on modeling is justified.
—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
5 July 2026
Byron Buxton was back in the lineup on Saturday in New York following a four-game absence due to a hip impingement, and quickly announced his return.
—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 July 2026
Freedom, taken alone, can sound like the absence of constraint.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
5 July 2026
Byron Buxton was back in the lineup on Saturday in New York following a four-game absence due to a hip impingement, and quickly announced his return.
—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
4 July 2026
Freedom, taken alone, can sound like the absence of constraint.
—
Sreedhar Potarazu,
Baltimore Sun,
4 July 2026
For thousands of Venezuelans, however, the absence of definitive answers has become one of the tragedy’s most painful consequences.
—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
4 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absence
Noun
-
Keli Gonzalez, a painter the museum commissioned, became frustrated by the lack of female representation.
-
The lack of a World Cup title is the one gap on his historic résumé.
Noun
-
All of this spells the need for clear rules and for lawmakers and law enforcement to catch up with this rapidly changing transportation.
-
But when Erik Spoelstra is strategizing, the needs of Nikola Jovic, for better or worse, are not going to be at the top of the organizational process.
Cite this Entry
“Absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absence. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
