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
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.
Recent Examples of absence
In the absence of elite offensive creation, the Fever have to outwork opponents, a trait that will benefit them when Clark comes back.
—
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Only in 2011 did a wild wolf, OR-7, cross from Oregon into California, ending 87 years of absence.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
In the absence of friction, contemporary bio-pics are just a series of boring victory laps.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Elkington says your team can feel the absence of feedback.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for absence
Sabreena Merchant, New York Times, 29 May 2025
Only in 2011 did a wild wolf, OR-7, cross from Oregon into California, ending 87 years of absence.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
In the absence of friction, contemporary bio-pics are just a series of boring victory laps.
—Hua Hsu, New Yorker, 19 May 2025
Elkington says your team can feel the absence of feedback.
—Julia Korn, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for absence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absence
Noun
-
Brandon Bell/Getty Images What To Know A chronic lack of inventory, partially due to the fact that homebuilders in the U.S. significantly underbuilt in the years following the 2008 crash, contributed to bringing U.S. home prices through the roof in recent years.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
-
In American literature, this is perhaps a relatively recent phenomenon too, one that could be attributed to a lack of global (and local) educational foundation.—
Aram Mrjoian
June 6,
Literary Hub,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
However, operational reporting needs often go beyond what SAP’s native tools provide.—
Govinda Rao Banothu,
Forbes.com,
3 June 2025
-
Nigeria, like much of Africa, faces an urgent need: jobs.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absence. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share