1
as in lost
no longer possessed
the missing socks turned up in the dog's special hiding place
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absent
not present or in evidence
any sense of how real people talk and act is missing from this novel
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in skipping
to fail to attend
had to miss work for a week because of the flu
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misunderstanding
to fail to understand the true or actual meaning of
I think you're missing the point
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in failing
to be unsuccessful
everyone knows that most of the new television series will miss and be gone before anyone notices
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 missing
Roberto Prieto, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Doctors would infuse a virus into her son's ears carrying a gene for a protein called otoferlin, which Travis was missing, hopefully restoring the ability of his brain to receive signals from his ears.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Nick Harris
april 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Limon’s remains were discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge; his girlfriend, Bristy, remains missing.
—Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for missing
Adjective
They are drawn to a remote farm in the Brazilian countryside while searching for the missing Clarice.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 24 Apr. 2026
Doctors would infuse a virus into her son's ears carrying a gene for a protein called otoferlin, which Travis was missing, hopefully restoring the ability of his brain to receive signals from his ears.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Apr. 2026
Verb
Now, the Cowboys not only have experience in there, but also a player who can be the lead communicator, wearing the green dot on his helmet, for a defense that was missing that final crucial piece after a busy offseason reconstructing that unit.
—Nick Harris
april 25, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Limon’s remains were discovered Friday morning on the Howard Frankland Bridge; his girlfriend, Bristy, remains missing.
—Holly Ramer, Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for missing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missing
Adjective
-
The lost time spent with his family can never be restored.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Analysts say Altman and Musk tussled over who would lead the company, and Musk lost.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
But the on-loan Manchester United forward is not Flick’s first choice on the wing when Raphinha, who is still out with a hamstring injury, and Yamal are absent.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Orlando has consistently ranked among the top cities with the most severe shortages of affordable housing since the report began in 2019, only absent from the top 10 in 2021.—
Ryan von Weller,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Redshirt junior Matt Kingsbury was later credited with a sack to end a drive and finished with five tackles; sophomore linebacker Emmanuel Karmo jumped an out route for an interception early in the second half.—
Andy Greder,
Twin Cities,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Sykesville Fire officials said crews faced challenges due to several out-of-service fire hydrants, leading to a request for tankers to help with the second building and water supply.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Given Bello’s recent struggles, will the club consider skipping his next start?—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Lehkonen and O'Connor turned on the jets during a third period Kings PP as Los Angeles' Adrian Kempe fanned on a one-timer at the blue line, sending the puck skipping in front of him like a scuffed golf drive.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
David Schurman Wallace on misunderstanding Gertrude Stein.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Apr. 2026
-
This could be along the lines of a passive-aggressive email or a coworker misunderstanding your tone.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The Kansas City Chiefs have made it through two days — and three rounds — of the 2026 NFL Draft while failing to address a major part of the team.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Now Durnell is at the center of a Supreme Court case to be argued on April 27 that tackles whether Monsanto can be sued for failing to warn of cancer risks from glyphosate.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.—
Mary Ann Grossmann,
Twin Cities,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Retaining Hall, 39, keeps one familiar face from Dart’s rookie year on the offensive side of the building for his second NFL season, with Brian Daboll, Mike Kafka and Shea Tierney all long gone.—
Pat Leonard,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The detainees—from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar and eight other nations—were found in restricted compounds, some lacking passports or proper immigration documentation.—
Rodney Muhumuza,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
-
If your yard is a bit lacking in colorful birds, adding a feeder can help attract all sorts of them.—
Brittany VanDerBill,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Missing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missing. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
