absorbed 1 of 2

absorbed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of absorb
1
as in drank
to take in (something liquid) through small openings most of the spilled water was absorbed by the tablecloth

Synonyms & Similar Words

2
3
as in integrated
to make a part of a body or system local schools will seek to absorb the new immigrants into the regular curriculum as quickly as possible

Synonyms & Similar Words

4
5

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 absorbed
Adjective
The absorbed or scattered light creates a unique pattern called the spectrum, which is effectively the substance’s fingerprint. Ambuj Tewari, The Conversation, 6 Mar. 2025 Although the mercury hovered at only 5°, all of us became so absorbed in the rabbit chase that no one noticed numb toes and cold ears. Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024 Because of this, absorbed sunlight isn’t reradiated in every direction equally but in some directions more than others. Phil Plait, Scientific American, 20 Sep. 2024 Chemical sunscreen, also called absorbed sunscreen, works by absorbing the UV rays, converting them to heat and releasing them from the body. Megan Decker, refinery29.com, 7 July 2024 March 8 7 days from peak bloom 3°F warmer March 10 6 days from peak bloom 1°F cooler March 11 As temperatures rose early in the year, the cells in the bud became active and absorbed water from the branches of the tree. Harry Stevens, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 The blanket repels dirt and pet hair, shakes sand off easily, and amazed us during the spill test when liquid pooled instead of absorbed and was easily blotted, leaving no stain behind. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 13 Oct. 2023 As the refrigerant expands, a pump takes it away, and a radiator dumps its absorbed heat. Manasee Wagh, Popular Mechanics, 18 Apr. 2022
Verb
Our institutions are failing us — either corrupt or underfunded, gutted and useless — and we’re absorbed with stories of characters that manage to save themselves, and on their own terms. Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025 Once absorbed by the body, it is converted into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), which plays a role in energy production, cellular communication, DNA repair, and more. Jamie Ducharme, Health, 26 Sep. 2025 More to Explore Students Lash interviewed had absorbed the message. Laura Clawson, JSTOR Daily, 25 Sep. 2025 If someone is disengaged but still clocking in, that work has to be absorbed by other team members, which can create additional stress and drag down productivity across the board, said SHRM's Atkinson. Charlotte Morabito, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2025 Iron is absorbed most readily from animal sources. Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 24 Sep. 2025 The most recent example of the Fujiwhara effect was in 2023, when Tropical Storm Philippe absorbed the nearby Tropical Storm Rina. Alex Harris updated September 24, Miami Herald, 24 Sep. 2025 The mayor's office anticipates no layoffs of city employees, with the cost for new hires absorbed from people leaving the city and retirements. Vanessa Swales, jsonline.com, 23 Sep. 2025 Researchers discovered that about 5% of the tiny plastic particles stuck to or were absorbed by the thin, non-edible roots of radishes. Pranjal Malewar, New Atlas, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absorbed
Adjective
  • Whatever else is true, reporting suggests that the alleged killer — 22-year-old Tyler Robinson — was deeply immersed in the online world.
    Tyler Johnson, Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Gripp became immersed in the time-intensive world of tamale making.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • All meals included water, but participants drank similar amounts regardless of spiciness.
    Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Indigenous cultures in the region placed high value in cacao as a sacred crop, exchanged as a form of currency and made into a frothy, warm bitter beverage drank at key events in social and religious life, Chocolate Affairs Magazine said.
    Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Since his death more than two hundred years ago, Christophe’s tragic story has interested a broad array of playwrights, artists, novelists, and filmmakers across the world.
    Marlene L. Daut September 22, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The travelers that interested her were not those seeking plain or ordinary pleasures but those chasing a profound personal cataclysm.
    Nicole Flattery, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, the chipmaker also agreed to pour $5 billion into rival Intel as part of an arrangement that calls for the latter's central processing units to be integrated into Nvidia's AI infrastructure platforms.
    Liz Napolitano, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2025
  • In addition to remodels, smaller touches have been integrated like bringing back self-serve milk and sugar stations as well doodles on coffee cups.
    Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Food and drink consumed before bed were tracked using dietary recall.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Alice in Borderland may have concluded its third season, but there is always more content to be consumed.
    Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Tonight's unanimous vote sends a powerful bipartisan message to those who ignore our laws and imperil our safety—this reckless misconduct will not be tolerated.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Despite this challenge, researchers reported that patients tolerated the procedure well with manageable side effects.
    Doc Louallen, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Janney's role as the high school guidance counselor who is more focused on writing her erotic novel than on her students is one in a long list of acting credits.
    Sophie Dodd, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Stege Bojer is taking a focused yet flexible approach to Weirloom’s future.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Kelvin Wheelies closed in 1983 and has been slowly getting swallowed by trees and shrubs ever since.
    Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 24 Sep. 2025
  • Here, slowly being swallowed by vegetation and worn down by time, are gigantic mausoleums, vast underground cisterns, temples, imposing city walls and a breathtaking theater perched, like Machu Picchu, on a hilltop that offers views stretching for miles all around.
    Barry Neild, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Absorbed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absorbed. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

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