missing 1 of 2

adjective

ˈmi-siŋ How to pronounce missing (audio)
Definition of missingnext
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
3
as in out
not at a certain place our church organist is missing this morning, so we'll have to sing without her accompaniment

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

missing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of miss
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
Adjective
But the Coast Guard also found three bodies, and the search for 10 people who remained missing was eventually called off. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026 Fight to Unite might appear to be a substitute for the missing Las Vegas festival, but bringing Punk Rock Bowling to Los Angeles has been discussed for years. — Dick Slaughter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
Christopher, who was unarmed, was struck in his left arm, the bullet narrowly missing his spine. — Emily Holshouser, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Oct. 2026 Reaves, who played in his first preseason game after missing the first two, had eight points on two-for-seven shooting, eight assists and five rebounds. — Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for missing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for missing
  1. lost
  2. absent
  3. out
  4. skipping
  5. misunderstanding
  6. failing
  7. gone
  8. lacking
Adjective
  • Relations between criminals and the authorities would become especially cozy; nostalgic references to a lost past would provide a false sense of continuity.
    — Ian Buruma, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Anyone researching a hair transplant in Turkey in their twenties should read a clinic’s willingness to advise waiting as a sign of quality rather than a lost sale.
    — William Jones, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of lost
Adjective
  • After discussing the safety measures and hearing from those in attendance, Hall and Lett withdrew to discuss the vote over the phone with Eastern Commissioner Jamey Cope, who was absent for a conference.
    — Glory Reitz, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The moon will be absent most of the night, rising a couple of hours before dawn as a 17%-illuminated waning crescent — too dim to affect visibility of meteors.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of absent
Adjective
  • Michael Kearns, a trailblazing AIDS activist and author credited as the first out gay actor, has died at 76.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Along with the out designation for receivers Cam Bates and Darren Morris, Boise State may have to lean heavily on sixth-year receiver Ben Ford and senior Akeem Wright this weekend.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of out
Verb
  • The cost of the line-skipping feature Lightning Lane, which can fluctuate based on crowding levels, now has a top price of $38, an increase of $1.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Red flags are about conduct, not decor Warning signs include skipping the medical-history review, pressuring you to purchase treatment immediately, or refusing to name the device and the person who will operate it.
    — Malana VanTyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of skipping
Verb
  • Friedlich hangs a lot of The Holes’s emotional bent on the dynamic between Joey and Carson, as two lonely townies who have spent a lot of their lives misunderstanding each other.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Responding Monday to Emmanuel Acho, who criticized the idea that her ejection represented white privilege, Carrington insisted people were misunderstanding her.
    — Dan Zaksheske OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of misunderstanding
Verb
  • By merging the two failing car companies, Marchionne created the seventh-largest vehicle manufacturer in the world, increasing Fiat’s value more than tenfold.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • According to RadarOnline, the King was left worried after failing to connect with his longtime friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes, an explorer who’s withdrawn from the spotlight amid his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis.
    — Allison DeGrushe, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of failing
Adjective
  • Suddenly, photos, videos, or important documents are just… gone.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
  • Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of gone
Adjective
  • The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
  • But concrete evidence of Clark fans acting in a hateful manner — at least in real time — is severely lacking.
    — Matt Calkins OutKick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of lacking

Browse Nearby Words

missiles
missing
missing out
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Missing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/missing. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All