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
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Recent Examples of absence
Though turnout was low, voters said they were driven to the polls amid a near-total absence of public services.
—
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The absence of a coherent, long-term strategy has had broader consequences.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Then came a call from his grandchildren’s school, concerned about their absence.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The San Antonio Spurs shrugged off the absence of Victor Wembanyama.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
The absence of a coherent, long-term strategy has had broader consequences.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Apr. 2026
Then came a call from his grandchildren’s school, concerned about their absence.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026
The San Antonio Spurs shrugged off the absence of Victor Wembanyama.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for absence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for absence
Noun
-
Goldman Sachs estimated that Qatar could see its GDP plunge by 14%, citing its lack of alternative export channels to the blockaded Strait of Hormuz.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
29 Apr. 2026
-
This Fire sign is, after all, notorious for its lack of a filter… and the 24-year-old singer just so happens to have her sun, Venus and Pluto here.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The masterful move addressed the Rams’ most pressing need and gave them a Super Bowl-ready roster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
On homelessness, Gersten supported the city’s current strategy, but raised pointed concerns about cost and scale, noting that Palomar Point’s per-unit price tag of more than $500,000 means such projects alone cannot meet the full need.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Absence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/absence. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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