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
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Recent Examples of absent
Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Global-Health Architect Conspicuously absent from the agreement is the U.S., which has historically played a key role in global health, from HIV/AIDS to malaria and beyond.
—Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018
See All Example Sentences for absent
Adjective
Her name has been absent from the foundation’s online roster since then.
—Charles Rabin, Miami Herald, 21 May 2025
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus: Global-Health Architect Conspicuously absent from the agreement is the U.S., which has historically played a key role in global health, from HIV/AIDS to malaria and beyond.
—Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025
Preposition
Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018
See All Example Sentences for absent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absent
Adjective
-
By the time the missing money is discovered, tracing it back to the scammer can be extremely difficult.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
18 May 2025
-
Here's what researchers found Both studies found that a small missing piece of DNA code located next to the Rho GTPase-activating protein (ARHGAP36) resulted in orange fur coloration.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
17 May 2025
Adjective
-
The United States had withdrawn from the World Health Organization and the U.N. Human Rights Council; the State Department seemed more preoccupied with deportations than with diplomacy.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Early in this episode, Dina mentions to a preoccupied Joel that one of the community’s underground pipes — connected to the outside — has been rendered useless by encroaching roots.—
Noel Murray,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Preposition
-
The work, which began Monday, will involve installing new utility connections for surrounding businesses, building out a new shaft to the surface and then replacing the road surface, without damaging a 20-inch water main.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
13 May 2025
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But a critical challenge looms for organizations increasing their adoption of AI: how to satiate these models without feeding them sensitive information.—
Sean Nathaniel,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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For in or out calls in tennis, the margin for error with Hawk-Eye reportedly is 5 percent relative to the ball’s diameter, or about 0.14 inches — in the same range as baseball’s median error.—
Ken Rosenthal,
New York Times,
19 May 2025
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After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the out the door and in your garage total purchase price came to: $157,697.—
Tony Leopardo,
Mercury News,
11 May 2025
Adjective
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Follow the rules of the road—and stay off your phone - Stick to speed limits, obey traffic signals, and never drive distracted.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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That was a possible sign of fatigue or distracted driving, some experts told CBS Austin — a problem that truckers told The Hill is endemic across an industry that pushes them to work around the clock.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absent. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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