absent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈab-sənt How to pronounce absent (audio)
Definition of absentnext
1
as in missing
not at a certain place three students were absent because of the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in lacking
not present or in evidence the city's usual stir of activity was conspicuously absent due to the report of an escaped lion from the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in preoccupied
lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions seemed absent when I told him you were coming because he nodded but didn't say anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

absent

2 of 2

preposition

ˈab-sənt How to pronounce absent (audio)
as in without
not having absent a significant source of investment funds, the fledgling company continues to struggle

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word absent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of absent are absentminded, abstracted, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When might absentminded be a better fit than absent?

Although the words absentminded and absent have much in common, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When can abstracted be used instead of absent?

The words abstracted and absent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When would distracted be a good substitute for absent?

In some situations, the words distracted and absent are roughly equivalent. However, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When is preoccupied a more appropriate choice than absent?

While in some cases nearly identical to absent, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

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 absent
Adjective
Instead, the trick here is that, absent the first-person dimension, Kawamura and co-writer Kentaro Hirase add a psychological component to the third-person storytelling. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 19 Sep. 2025 Forget Super Bowl chatter, this team is built to win at least one playoff game, even if Greenlaw and Evan Engram remain absent and ineffective. —Troy Renck, Denver Post, 18 Sep. 2025
Preposition
Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 See All Example Sentences for absent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absent
  1. missing
  2. lacking
  3. preoccupied
  4. without
  5. out
  6. distracted
Adjective
  • He was initially described as being cooperative with police when Ana Walshe went missing but was soon arrested and charged with her murder.
    — Flint McColgan, Boston Herald, 13 Sep. 2025
  • An unknown amount of people remain missing.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 13 Sep. 2025
Definition of missing
Adjective
  • Bringing out the playmaker While Horn got paid a record-setting contract in March, the national buzz about his talent has been somewhat lacking.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The greatest challenge for Stone, then, was injecting personality into an 11,000-square-foot house that was initially quite lacking in it.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 17 Sep. 2025
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • Science fiction is still preoccupied with real world fears about the pitfalls and potential dangers of AI.
    — Bruce Dorminey, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • What's popular is appearing preoccupied, too busy scrolling on one's phone to look around—and too caught up with one's many friends to make any new ones at a mall.
    — Annabelle Canela, Parents, 4 Sep. 2025
Definition of preoccupied
Preposition
  • Whether or not that path will continue to be forged without Kirk’s bravado and formidable presence, and who will officially take his place atop Turning Point remains unknown.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025
  • According to San Diego’s Acting Chief Innovation Officer Alexander Hempton, Mayor Gloria is urging his team to use this moment of financial strain as an opportunity to propose new ideas and work in new ways without sacrificing effectiveness.
    — U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025
Definition of without
Adjective
  • On second-and-goal from the 6-yard line, Prescott found Pickens on a quick out route that just reached over the end zone for the go-ahead score.
    — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Payton needs to out-coach Shane Steichen.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of out
Adjective
  • If the behavior stops when distracted, boredom is likely the cause.
    — Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
  • The high-profile nature of Stone’s case raises awareness of the dangers of distracted driving and reliance on surveillance technology, pressuring the manufacturers to assess the accuracy of their products to prevent this tragedy from occurring again.
    — John Perlstein, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Definition of distracted

Phrases Containing absent

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absence
absent
absented oneself
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Cite this Entry

“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absent. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.

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