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• High-entropy carbides powders were synthesized by carbothermal reduction method. • The solid-solution elements have a great influence on EMW absorption capability. • The intrinsic characteristics make the high-entropy carbides promising EMW absorbing materials. The electromagnetic wave absorption performance of high-entropy transition metal carbides, including (Ti 0.2 Zr 0.2 Hf 0.2 Nb 0.2 Ta 0.2)C, (Ti 0.2 Zr 0.2 Mo 0.2 Nb 0.2 Ta 0.2)C and (Ti 0.2 Zr 0.2 Cr 0.2 Nb 0.2 Ta 0.2)C, was investigated in the frequency from 2 GHz to 18 GHz. The electromagnetic parameter measurement and subsequent electromagnetic wave absorption evaluation showed that the high-entropy transition metal carbides possessed good electromagnetic wave absorbing properties, which had a great relation to the solid-solution elements. The (Ti 0.2 Zr 0.2 Mo 0.2 Nb 0.2 Ta 0.2)C with a 1.50 mm thickness displayed a minimal reflection loss of -32.1 dB, and the effective absorption bandwidth (<-10 dB) was in the frequency range of 13–18 GHz. Intriguingly, the minimum reflection loss reached -36.6 dB at the thickness of 2.50 mm. The electromagnetic wave absorption performance was mainly associated with conductivity loss and dipole polarization, which originated from intrinsic conductivity of the high-entropy carbides and lattice distortion resulting from solid solution of multiple elements, respectively. The experimental results show that the high-entropy transition metal carbides may be promising structural-functional integrated ceramics in wide applications. The single-phase high-entropy transition metal carbide powders without complex structure and multi phases design present excellent EMW absorption properties, including minute reflection loss and broad absorption bandwidth. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]