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.

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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
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
Verb
Chronic absenteeism: House Bill 1201 prohibits a school from expelling or suspending a student who’s been chronically absent or habitually truant. Carole Carlson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Feb. 2025 The bill also addresses children and teens who are habitually truant. Jessica Babb, Baltimore Sun, 29 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truant
Adjective
  • The first censure was approved by the council on Feb. 4 by a 4-0 vote with Blain absent, amid allegations of vote trading, threatening recalls against colleagues and attempting to use law enforcement to silence critics.
    Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 2025
  • While Superman’s mother (Susannah York) has some moments warning her son of the future, his father (played by Marlon Brando in the first film) is completely and noticeably absent.
    Martin Gold, HollywoodReporter, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Anyone who filmed the idling trucks could claim a portion of the money collected through the fine.
    Clare Sestanovich, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
  • The clothing description of the suspect that Romero provided his fellow officers didn’t match a description provided by a witness who spotted the shooter open fire, then run into an idling car that sped him away from the shooting scene, according to Fletcher.
    City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 July 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
  • Paired with the gray-ish green color palette, sparse decor, and dark atmospherics in the Institute itself, the bleak vibes may be enough to turn some viewers off for good, especially those horror purists who tune in hoping to be terrified rather than just bummed out.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 13 July 2025
  • In a lot of ways obviously, devastated and bummed out.
    Mike Fitzpatrick, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Her brother works for the U.S. National Park Service and has been furloughed.
    Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 June 2025
  • On the other hand, nonessential workers are furloughed and are not allowed to work or to be paid until the government reopens.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • As if aware that engaging plot is not the story’s strongest suit, Nicholaw keeps his foot on the accelerator throughout, making sure nothing and no one dawdles as the production hurtles from one incident to the next.
    David Benedict, Variety, 24 June 2025
  • Some of this feels more like dawdling: What's the point of Stick's cynical old buddy (Marc Maron) getting trapped under a fold-out bed?
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 4 June 2025
Verb
  • The researchers observed that this particular population of orangutans also build slightly simpler nests for daytime naps, in contrast to other groups which frequently just laze on bare branches.
    Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 25 June 2025
  • The 576-square-foot gem is perfect for wading, doing morning laps, or just lazing alongside with a good book.
    Matthew Monagan, Travel + Leisure, 3 June 2025
Verb
  • His impersonation is so convincing that Lu and Shin are initially fooled.
    Allison DeGrushe Published, EW.com, 14 July 2025
  • The Mets couldn’t pick up his slider and were fooled on his changeup.
    Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 13 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Truant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truant. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

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