absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē 
: one that is absent: such as
a
: a proprietor of an estate or business who lives far away from it and rarely visits it
b
: one missing from work or school
absentee
adjective
Examples of absentee in a Sentence
There were 10 sick absentees that day.
Recent Examples on the Web
All the while finding some unexpected help from her previously absentee dad.
—
Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
The campaign to make voting by mail a universal option in Connecticut moved forward Thursday as the House Democratic majority passed and sent to the Senate legislation that would lift the last barriers to no-excuse absentee voting.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
She’s supported by her roommate, Susie (Thaddea Graham), a fantasy cosplayer and wrestling fan, and her formerly absentee father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), who arrives at Margo’s door not long after leaving rehab for an opioid addiction and seeing a string of panicked texts from her.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Figures compiled by firm L2 Data suggested that, as of Thursday, Democrats had a 15-point edge over Republicans in early and absentee voting.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absentee
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Amanda Champagne-Meadows, Deadline, 25 Apr. 2026
The campaign to make voting by mail a universal option in Connecticut moved forward Thursday as the House Democratic majority passed and sent to the Senate legislation that would lift the last barriers to no-excuse absentee voting.
—Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 24 Apr. 2026
She’s supported by her roommate, Susie (Thaddea Graham), a fantasy cosplayer and wrestling fan, and her formerly absentee father, Jinx (Nick Offerman), who arrives at Margo’s door not long after leaving rehab for an opioid addiction and seeing a string of panicked texts from her.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2026
Figures compiled by firm L2 Data suggested that, as of Thursday, Democrats had a 15-point edge over Republicans in early and absentee voting.
—Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absentee
Cite this Entry
“Absentee.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/absentee. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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Legal Definition
absentee
noun
ab·sen·tee
ˌab-sən-ˈtē
: one that is absent: as
a
: a proprietor who lives away from his or her business or estate
b
: a potential party to a legal action who is not present or does not have a representative present at a proceeding
absentee
adjective
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