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AWOL

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

variants sometimes awol
: absent without leave
broadly : absent often without notice or permission
… the place looked as if its caretaker had been AWOL for some time. Daniel Ford

AWOL

2 of 2

noun

variants sometimes awol
: a person who is AWOL

Examples of AWOL in a Sentence

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.
Noun
Tens of thousands of soldiers went AWOL in the first seven months of this year alone. Tim Lister, CNN Money, 23 Nov. 2025 At fifteen, he was expelled after going AWOL in London. Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2025 When Jones goes missing, Fajardo directs Sullivan to return to camp, but Sullivan defies those orders and goes AWOL to locate Jones. Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025 The Ravens’ defense has been AWOL all season. Vic Tafur, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for AWOL

Word History

Etymology

Adjective or adverb

absent without leave

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

1891, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1915, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of AWOL was in 1891

Cite this Entry

“AWOL.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/AWOL. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Kids Definition

AWOL

noun
ˈā-ˌwȯl
ˌā-ˌdəb-əl-yu̇-ˌō-ˈel
: a person who is absent without permission
AWOL adverb or adjective
Etymology

Noun

absent without leave

Legal Definition

AWOL

abbreviation
ˈā-ˌwȯl, ˈā-ˌdə-bəl-ˌyü-ˌō-ˈel
absent without leave
Last Updated: - Definition revised
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