truant 1 of 2

as in absent
not present at a mandatory time and place Her son was suspended after being truant from school a number of times.

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

truant

2 of 2

verb

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 truant
Adjective
But if a cadre of concerned neighborhood volunteers can be cobbled together with parents who have truant kids of their own, perhaps efforts to reach out to families who have given up minding their kids may actually have a chance of working. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 2024 Students aren’t just truant to be truant, Captain said. Nadia Scharf, Journal Sentinel, 23 Oct. 2024
Verb
The program helps truant students get back on track. Byron Pitts, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023 In Los Angeles, school superintendent Alberto Carvalho has gone door to door; in Alabama, signs stressing the importance of attendance are displayed on front lawns; in Philadelphia, local programs have been established that send out text messages to potentially truant youths' parents. Lauren Lantry, ABC News, 16 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for truant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truant
Adjective
  • The bloc of 27 countries published Monday a long list of US products, most of which will be subject to additional customs duties of 25% absent an agreement with the US.
    Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 15 Apr. 2025
  • Songs from her 2013 album Artpop, Joanne from 2016, 2020’s Chromatica and Harlequin from last year were noticeably absent.
    Marina Watts, People.com, 15 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Sitting in his idling pickup one afternoon, Sherlock watched as a Canadian Pacific train rumbled by the grain elevator in the small town of Wimbledon.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Their boat was found idling in circles, sparking a massive search.
    Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The entire day felt dehumanizing, as if her nearly eight years with the company, her medical problems and her physical pain had been reduced to nothing more than malingering and scattered incidents of tardiness.
    Greg Jaffe, Anchorage Daily News, 18 June 2023
  • Goldstein, who did not return a message seeking comment, practices in Chicago and has lectured on the topic of malingering, according to a resume posted online.
    Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2023
Verb
  • Fans were still bummed that he was reassigned to minor-league camp.
    Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 17 Mar. 2025
  • For more on Nintendo Switch 2, check out our Switch 2 game wishlist and learn why we’ll be bummed if Switch 2 lacks these features.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Those staff members have been furloughed until later in the year, the state of their future contracts unclear, according to a NOAA staffer speaking on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.
    Alejandra Borunda, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Streamlining operations, closing loss-making programs, furloughing staff and prioritizing projects with clear, measurable returns on investment are all on the table.
    Chase Williams, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Players dawdled on the ball in key moments, hesitant to make mistakes.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Skelly secured the Obama Administration’s commitment to buy his energy, but in the course of a decade the project slowly collapsed, as state powers dawdled and eventually refused to issue the necessary permits.
    Benjamin Wallace-Wells, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And if that interest is lazing by the beach, transfers to local beach clubs will be offered as well.
    Laurie Werner, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Bask in the sound of lapping waves from the king-size bed, or laze in a hammock overlooking the water.
    Cameron Sperance, Travel + Leisure, 24 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Then, as if anyone was fooled, the talk show host pulled off his hat, wig and snap-on nose and lip piercings and Sheeran pulled of his wig to reveal his signature carrot top to shouts of joy.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 9 Apr. 2025
  • That attempt was soon fooled by sloppy play in the neutral zone that gave Brad Marchand a short-handed opportunity.
    Nick Ashbourne, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Truant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truant. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on truant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!