1
as in lack
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
the absence of volunteers to be troop leaders is putting the scouting program in real jeopardy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
the fact or state of being absent
in the absence of ferry service to the island, the ecotourists had to charter a plane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of absence
His absence in the Warriors’ last home game of the regular season also put a damper on what could have been another enthralling matchup of two of the NBA’s biggest stars.
—
Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Their health has improved, save for Peyton Watson’s absence, and their opening night starting lineup is 18-5.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Others mistakenly describe these acts as flakiness, disobedience, laziness, or personal failure in the absence of context.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Here's everything to know about Erik Per Sullivan's absence.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
Their health has improved, save for Peyton Watson’s absence, and their opening night starting lineup is 18-5.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
Others mistakenly describe these acts as flakiness, disobedience, laziness, or personal failure in the absence of context.
—Gretchen Wittenmyer-Stone, Kansas City Star, 10 Apr. 2026
Here's everything to know about Erik Per Sullivan's absence.
—Samantha Stutsman, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absence
Noun
-
That is likely because of over-breeding and a lack of education over the breed’s health issues, Starzyk said.—
Amanda Rosa
April 9,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Isolated by its beautiful, rugged mountains, West Virginia sits entirely within Appalachia and has long been listed at the bottom of a laundry list of failings, including poor health and a lack of education.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The need for all these gimmicks is something that Margo didn’t initially realize.—
Jennifer Wilson,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
With no pressing need for FX, sets, name actors or stunts, just about anyone could make a marketable knockoff.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absence. Accessed 15 Apr. 2026.
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