absented

Kept oneself away

Absented is the past tense of absent used as a verb, meaning to remove oneself or stay away from a place or situation: He absented himself from the meeting.

The verb form is somewhat formal and appears most often with a reflexive pronoun.

She had absented herself from family gatherings for years.

missing

disappeared

Ceased to exist visibly

vanishedDisappeared from sight
goneNo longer present
unaccountedNot included or explained

away · truant · nonattendant · unavailable · elsewhere · astray · fled · escaped · decamped · skipped

withdrawn

removed

Taken from position

retreatedMoved backward from advance
secludedSet apart, private
reclusiveSeeking isolation from others

aloof · detached · solitary · sequestered · cloistered · disengaged · distanced · separated · isolated · recused

leave

furlough

Granted absence from work

sabbaticalExtended leave from work
departureAct of going away
excusedReleased from duty

permission · maternity · paternity · vacation · time-off · hiatus · respite · break · bereavement · truancy

Opposites

presence

absentedpresented

Formally gave or showed

attended · appeared · showed up · arrived · came

agency in departure

absentedexpelled

Officially removed or banished

barred · ejected · banished · excluded · removed

engagement vs. withdrawal

absentedparticipated

Took an active role

engaged · committed · joined in · showed up · took part

Phrases

absentee landlordProperty owner elsewhere
absentee ballotVote cast from elsewhere
absent without leaveIllegally missing from duty
absentee votingElectoral participation without presence
absentee votesBallots cast remotely
absent fatherMale parent uninvolved in upbringing

Family

absent, absentee, absents, absenting

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Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G