1
: 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.
2
: not existing : lacking
… danger in a situation where power is absent …—
M. H. Trytten
M. H. Tryttena gene that occurs in mammals but is absent in birds
3
: 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.
absented; absenting; absents
: to keep (oneself) away
He absented himself from the meeting.
ab·sent
ˈab-sənt 
Synonyms
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 WebDavid Folkenflik, NPR, 21 June 2024
The commercial hustle and bustle of the larger, more metropolitan cities in the country is almost entirely absent here.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2024
Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2024
To escape the tremendous pressure from them to accept this child, Eilis decides to absent herself when the baby is due by returning to Ireland for the first time in more than 20 years.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 7 May 2024
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018
See all Example Sentences for absent 
Adjective
Winnett was absent and his name was barely mentioned in a contentious meeting with a stunned newsroom the next day.
—David Folkenflik, NPR, 21 June 2024
The commercial hustle and bustle of the larger, more metropolitan cities in the country is almost entirely absent here.
—Connor Sturges, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 June 2024
Verb
With three players out sick and coach Stephen Turner also absent, the Eagles stepped up against the biggest threat to their county supremacy.
—Timothy Dashiell, Baltimore Sun, 23 Apr. 2024
To escape the tremendous pressure from them to accept this child, Eilis decides to absent herself when the baby is due by returning to Ireland for the first time in more than 20 years.
—Heller McAlpin, NPR, 7 May 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'absent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near absent
Cite this Entry
“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absent. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
absent
1 of 2 adjective
ab·sent
ˈab-sənt
1
: not present or attending : missing
2
: not existing
enthusiasm was absent
3
: lost in thought : preoccupied
absently
adverb
absent
2 of 2 verb
ab·sent
ab-ˈsent
: to keep (oneself) away
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