Synonyms of absent

absent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈab-sənt 

1

as in missing

not at a certain place

three students were absent because of the flu

Synonyms & Similar Words

• missing
• out
• gone
• away
• retired
• truant
• departed
• AWOL
• abroad
• vacationing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• present
• here
• in
• participating
• attending
• accompanying

2

as in lacking

not present or in evidence

the city's usual stir of activity was conspicuously absent due to the report of an escaped lion from the zoo

Synonyms & Similar Words

• lacking
• missing
• vanished
• extinct
• lost
• nonexistent
• wanting
• inadequate
• insufficient
• sparse
• done
• departed
• obsolete
• defunct
• over
• expired
• scarce
• finished
• rare
• dead
• uncommon
• perished
• lapsed
• passé

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• present
• active
• existent
• alive
• current
• living
• thriving
• common
• prevalent
• prevailing
• going
• evident
• apparent
• obvious
• conspicuous
• animate
• plain
• uncanceled

3

as in preoccupied

lost in thought and unaware of one's surroundings or actions

seemed absent when I told him you were coming because he nodded but didn't say anything

Synonyms & Similar Words

• preoccupied
• distracted
• abstracted
• dazed
• bewildered
• confused
• absentminded
• unaware
• absorbed
• oblivious
• pensive
• forgetting
• forgetful
• inattentive
• engrossed
• unconscious
• unmindful
• dreaming
• intent
• rapt
• dreamy
• daydreaming
• vacant
• heedless
• faraway
• unwitting
• unfocused
• unthinking
• muddled
• bemused
• clueless
• unknowing
• unperceptive
• unheeding
• foggy
• hazy
• scatterbrained
• unfocussed
• unwary
• befuddled
• insensible
• befogged
• flighty
• birdbrained

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• alert
• aware
• engaged
• alive
• conscious
• wary
• watchful
• sharp
• mindful
• vigilant
• attentive
• observing
• observant
• wide-awake
• heedful
• heads-up
• open-eyed
• clearheaded

absent

2 of 2

preposition

ˈab-sənt 

as in without

not having

absent a significant source of investment funds, the fledgling company continues to struggle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• without
• wanting
• minus
• sans

Synonym Chooser

How is the word absent distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of absent are absentminded, abstracted, distracted, and preoccupied. While all these words mean "inattentive to what claims or demands consideration," absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.

an absent stare

When might absentminded be a better fit than absent?

Although the words absentminded and absent have much in common, absentminded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.

so absentminded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes

When can abstracted be used instead of absent?

The words abstracted and absent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abstracted implies absorption of the mind in something other than one's surroundings, and often suggests reflection on weighty matters.

walking about with an abstracted air

When would distracted be a good substitute for absent?

In some situations, the words distracted and absent are roughly equivalent. However, distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.

was too distracted by grief to continue working

When is preoccupied a more appropriate choice than absent?

While in some cases nearly identical to absent, preoccupied often implies having one's attention so taken up by thoughts as to neglect others.

too preoccupied with her debts to enjoy the meal

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of absent

Adjective

Today, that leadership is largely absent, leaving teachers, political leaders and even parents without clear direction. —Anne Tapp Jaksa, Baltimore Sun, 14 Apr. 2025

Finding her absent, DePape went after Paul Pelosi instead, leaving him with a skull fracture and serious hand injury. —Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 14 Apr. 2025

Preposition

Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. —Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018

Phrases Containing absent

• absent oneself