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 Web
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
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
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018
See all Example Sentences for absent 
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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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
Dictionary Entries Near absent
Cite this Entry
“Absent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absent. Accessed 22 Nov. 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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