absent

1 of 3

adjective

ab·sent ˈab-sənt

Synonyms of absent next

: not present at a usual or expected place : missing

was absent from class today

sharing memories of absent friends

She was conspicuously absent [=her absence was very noticeable] at the meeting.

: not existing : lacking

… danger in a situation where power is absent …—

M. H. Trytten

a gene that occurs in mammals but is absent in birds

: showing a lack of attention to what is happening or being said : not attentive

had an absent look on her face

an absent reply

absently adverb

He replied absently to her question.

absent

2 of 3

verb

ab·sent ab-ˈsent

ˈab-ˌsent

absented; absenting; absents

transitive verb

: to keep (oneself) away

He absented himself from the meeting.

absent

3 of 3

preposition

ab·sent ˈab-sənt

US, formal

: in the absence of (something) : without

Absent any objections, the plan will proceed.

Choose the Right Synonym for absent

abstracted, preoccupied, absent, absent-minded, distracted mean inattentive to what claims or demands consideration.

abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

Examples of absent in a Sentence

Adjective an absent father who is not home most of the time a gene that occurs in mammals but that is absent in birds a landscape in which vegetation is almost entirely absent He made an absent reply to her question as he continued to watch the TV. Preposition Absent any objections, the plan will proceed. Absent such an agreement we can go no further.

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.

Adjective

The role of non-European countries in the war will only grow, and these states will not be absent from the diplomacy that concludes the war. —

Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 For more info: Colonial Williamsburg Take a virtual tour COMMENTARY: Taking a kinder, gentler tone against the rudeness of politics Civility has been absent from much of this presidential campaign. —

David Morgan, CBS News, 1 Nov. 2024

Verb

Dissent was punished—but would-be dissenters could simply absent themselves. —

Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 27 Sep. 2022 And the fact that Christopher has absented himself from Eddie's life right now has thrown Eddie into a little bit of a.... —

Patrick Gomez, EW.com, 24 Oct. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin absent-, absens, present participle of abesse "to be away, be absent," from ab- ab- + -sens, present participle (attested only with prefixes) of esse "to be" — more at is entry 1

Verb

Middle English absenten, borrowed from Anglo-French absenter, borrowed from Late Latin absentāre, verbal derivative of Latin absent-, absens absent entry 1

Preposition

derivative of absent entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Preposition

1944, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of absent was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absent. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

absent

1 of 2 adjective

ab·sent ˈab-sənt

: not present or attending : missing

: not existing

enthusiasm was absent

: lost in thought : preoccupied

absently adverb

absent

2 of 2 verb

ab·sent ab-ˈsent

: to keep (oneself) away

Last Updated: 21 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

frugal

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

absent

adjective

verb

preposition

Synonyms

Examples of absent in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near absent

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition