missing

adjective

miss·​ing ˈmi-siŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
: absent
also : lost
missing in action

Examples of missing in a Sentence

The new director has provided the missing ingredient that was needed for the show's success. the missing socks turned up in the dog's special hiding place
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.
Their attorney said law enforcement did not collect evidence from one of the dive computers, one of which is now missing. Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025 Many of the treasures were recovered years later when five men were convicted of the crime, but some remain missing to this day. Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025 The search for Maria Ramos' missing babies When Miller learned that Jane Doe was Marina Ramos and that Ramos was the mother of two baby girls, tracking down the missing daughters became her priority. Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 21 Oct. 2025 In the film, former country megastar Misty Jones (Chastain) comes out of seclusion to investigate the disappearance of her missing niece (Faith), a rising country musician, and must grapple with her own past and Nashville’s seedy underbelly. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 20 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for missing

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missing was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Missing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missing. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

missing

adjective
miss·​ing ˈmis-iŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
: absent entry 1 sense 1, lost
missing persons
missing in action

More from Merriam-Webster on missing

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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