disappearance
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of disappearance
Explanation
A disappearance occurs when something vanishes from sight. The disappearance of the stars behind the clouds makes it a bad night for watching a meteor shower. While this word is often used when something's not visible, you can also use it for something that dies out or ceases to exist, like the disappearance of a particular animal species that's gone extinct or even disappearance of cursive writing in schools. In news stories, the word frequently refers to a crime involving a missing person: "The disappearance of his neighbor was very mysterious."
Vocabulary lists containing disappearance
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Week 3: Investigations
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The resistance to artificial intelligence is growing—although one activist’s disappearance has the movement on edge.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
The footage was released by Northern Territory police ahead of the 25th anniversary of his disappearance, with the force saying it "remains committed to bringing this investigation to its fullest conclusion".
From BBC ● Jul. 11, 2026
It’s this exact type of cultural disappearance that Kojima was grieving during his weekend comments.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
This wind phone is dedicated to Robert Byrne, 28, whose 1995 disappearance is still unsolved.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 6, 2026
Mayor Carr has something to do with Lily’s disappearance.
From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland
Satluj is inspired by the life of human rights activist Jaswant Singh Khalra, who investigated allegations of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings during Punjab's separatist insurgency - and then he himself disappeared.
From BBC ● Jul. 6, 2026
Activists put the number of disappearances much higher, at around 7,000 – but there is no reliable source of data and no way to verify either side's claims.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum has focused on distinguishing between disappearances committed by organized crime and those forced by state agents.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Andrew Glazer, director of the documentary on the 2018 disappearances, told AFP that Ramos is accused of paying actors to fabricate allegations against the military.
From Barron's ● May 14, 2026
Although at first these inquiries troubled Holmes, he realized quickly that neither family believed he had anything to do with the disappearances.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
