1
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
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
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Darkness itself carries no price tag, however, meaning its loss has largely been absent from the economic calculations that guide development and outdoor lighting decisions.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
29 June 2026
Additionally, recipients must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, and must not be absent from the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.
—
Emily Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Shehadeh, a son of Palestinian immigrants, learned to hustle from his hard-working but largely absent father.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for absent
Adjective
Strong contrasts almost disappeared, colors were consistently muted, white was never truly white, and black was nearly absent.
—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
29 June 2026
Darkness itself carries no price tag, however, meaning its loss has largely been absent from the economic calculations that guide development and outdoor lighting decisions.
—
Sharmila Kuthunur,
Space.com,
29 June 2026
Additionally, recipients must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, and must not be absent from the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.
—
Emily Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
28 June 2026
Shehadeh, a son of Palestinian immigrants, learned to hustle from his hard-working but largely absent father.
—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
27 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for absent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absent
Adjective
-
The cinematic denoument revived some measure of hope in a reeling nation, where the official casualty count announced Saturday climbed to 2,954 dead and 16,592 injured, with thousands remaining missing.
-
In addition, two people remain missing, bringing the total number of Kerr County deaths to 119.
Adjective
-
Shuffling the opposition across to make space for a switch to the far side is a viable method of attack, but that can then come at the cost of a central box presence, with Portugal lacking runners beyond the ball.
-
There is something to be found in both this character and the actress who plays her, but Alcock’s Kara did not have a chance to shine here in a lacking feature, and deserved better.
Adjective
-
Yet in an era increasingly defined by digital abstraction and impermanence, fashion designers are newly preoccupied with the tangible and historic.
-
Unfortunately, the actor was a little preoccupied with another franchise.
Preposition
-
When emergency responders arrived, Benning was found without a pulse, face down across a bed.
-
Outside of Danny grinding on women without their consent, does his dancing really merit a preemptive warning?
Adjective
-
The Marlins loaded the bases with one out before Kyle Stowers grounded into an apparent inning-ending double play, but the out call at the plate was overturned on review and Pauley was ruled safe.
-
Norway in Boston will be a tougher test, although one imagines the competitor in him again will want to out-perform Erling Haaland.
Adjective
-
Some big rubber balls had been tossed in to keep them distracted.
-
The problem, Larson said, is that Congress was highly distracted at the time with passing the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
Cite this Entry
“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absent. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
