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
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
absent stresses inability to fix the mind on present concerns due more to mental wandering than to concentration on other matters.
an absent stare
absent-minded implies that the mind is fixed elsewhere and often refers to a habit of abstractedness.
so absent-minded, he's been known to wear mismatched shoes
distracted may suggest an inability to concentrate caused by worry, sorrow, or anxiety.
was too distracted by grief to continue working
Example Sentences
Adjective an absent father who is not home most of the time a gene that occurs in mammals but that is absent in birds a landscape in which vegetation is almost entirely absent He made an absent reply to her question as he continued to watch the TV. PrepositionAbsent any objections, the plan will proceed.Absent such an agreement we can go no further.See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
But there is one CBS reality show that has been conspicuously absent from The Challenge: USA, and that is Tough as Nails. Dalton Ross, EW.com, 29 Aug. 2022 Kane and Garfield counties, home to the Grand Staircase, are parties to the state’s suit, while San Juan is conspicuously absent. Brian Maffly, The Salt Lake Tribune, 24 Aug. 2022 Souvenir shops packed with T-shirts and floating toys are conspicuously absent. Chelsea Brasted, WSJ, 19 Aug. 2022 Conspicuously absent was their most famous opponent. Iris Samuels, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Aug. 2022 There has been grumbling that the quasi-public agency, led by former Lawrence mayor Dan Rivera, has been conspicuously absent in local affairs lately. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2022 The Avengers are conspicuously absent from most of the action in various movies and TV shows in Phase 4. Chris Smith, BGR, 12 July 2022 During that time, the Pelicans offered few updates on Williamson, any mention of whom was later conspicuously absent from Pelicans promotional material regarding season ticket renewals for the 2022-23 season. Brett Martel, ajc, 2 July 2022 Francis was conspicuously absent from the trial; prosecutors pulled him from their witness lineup at the last minute.San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2022
Verb
Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk. Sydney Odman, The Hollywood Reporter, 31 Aug. 2022 Still, the stately show’s main hurdle is the same faced by many of the streaming era’s ambitious sequels, prequels, and spin-offs: over-familiarity absent any real risk. Michaela Zee, Variety, 31 Aug. 2022 There is nothing propelling people to buy more of them and absent a new pandemic that sends people back inside, there are no growth tailwinds for this industry. Peter Cohan, Forbes, 26 Aug. 2022 Rhodium said in a report Thursday that the U.S., historically the largest emitter of any nation, is on a trajectory to miss its climate targets absent the steps in the bill or comparable climate legislation. Benjamin J. Hulac And David Jordan, Anchorage Daily News, 18 July 2022 But absent the intelligence from the United States, Ukraine would have struggled to target the warship with the confidence necessary to expend two valuable Neptune missiles, which were in short supply, according to people familiar with the strike. Dan Lamothe, Washington Post, 11 May 2022 The complaint listed particular bruises and the broken collarbone and concludes such conditions do not occur in nonmobile infants absent some abuse. Bruce Vielmetti, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11 May 2022 But even absent those trends, the factors that have pushed up prices may be hard to unwind.New York Times, 30 Apr. 2022 The Electro looks and flies like an ordinary light aircraft, but absent the roar of internal combustion, its single propeller makes a sound like beating wings.New York Times, 16 Apr. 2022
Preposition
Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 Under no circumstances should Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed absent a full and complete investigation. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Fox News, 27 Sep. 2018 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin absent-, absens, present participle of abesse "to be away, be absent," from ab-ab- + -sens, present participle (attested only with prefixes) of esse "to be" — more at is entry 1
Verb
Middle English absenten, borrowed from Anglo-French absenter, borrowed from Late Latin absentāre, verbal derivative of Latin absent-, absensabsent entry 1