A flexible metamaterial based on liquid metal patterns embedded in magnetic medium for lightweight microwave absorber

•The metamaterial absorber achieved maximum microwave absorption of −23.36 dB at 0.9 mm thickness and 1.91 g/cm3 density.•The metamaterial absorber can maintain good absorption performance after multiple bending.•Liquid metal replaces solid metal so that the absorber has good resistance to bending fatigue.•This work provides a strategy for reducing weight and thickness by bonding magnetic materials and metamaterials.