1
as in absence
the fact or state of being absent
the lack of news about the fate of the soldiers was frustrating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
the lack of eligible candidates for the jury kept the trial from getting started
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
the lack of fresh water at the campsite definitely would be a problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lack
ABC News, 17 June 2026
And the lack of certainties has left people looking at every possible scenario to figure out what exactly happened and who could have been involved.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 17 June 2026
Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Democrats lack subpoena power as the minority party, making the requests a long shot.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
But for some facing a terminal diagnosis, ivermectin has become an unlikely source of hope, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting its use for cancer.
—ABC News, 17 June 2026
And the lack of certainties has left people looking at every possible scenario to figure out what exactly happened and who could have been involved.
—Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 17 June 2026
Verb
Also, statewide 19 percent of Black households lack access to a vehicle.
—Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 11 June 2026
Democrats lack subpoena power as the minority party, making the requests a long shot.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 11 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
Spain has more than enough talent on the squad to beat Cape Verde, and despite the absence of two of its best players, the team should have come out on top.—
Patrick Sung Cuadrado,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Conspicuous by their absence are a handful of recurring performers, including Amielynn Abellera, Kristin Villanueva, Jalen Thomas Brooks, and Brandon Mendez Homer, who play nurses Perla, Princess, Mateo, and Donnie, respectively.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
The Crimean peninsula has had periodic fuel shortages from Ukrainian strikes before, but the current crisis is the worst since its 2014 annexation.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
21 June 2026
-
Novelli said one of the reasons many kids in New Haven are still behind in reading is a shortage of pre-kindergarten education.—
Theo Peck-Suzuki,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2026
Noun
-
District officials said staffing and budget decisions are made at the school and department level by building and department leaders based on the needs of individual schools and departments.—
Dillon Thomas,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
Adding urgency to its efforts is the need to stave off any prospect of Reform UK winning a general election.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
Setting the factory ablaze and escaping, Naim pauses for a minute when the Ryan-like monster appears at a window, begging to be released and claiming to be the human-being.—
Arushi Jacob,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
The role required a physical and comedic register she had not previously been asked to sustain at this scale, which begs the question of whether playing someone this chaotic is sustainable for someone who describes herself, without hesitation, as directly opposite.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
Noun
-
The growing calls for accountability come as a local animal rescue founder has filed a lawsuit against the City of San Jose, alleging serious deficiencies in shelter operations.—
Maddie White,
CBS News,
19 June 2026
-
Iron and vitamin D deficiencies can both cause fatigue, but iron deficiency tends to have a more direct and noticeable effect on energy, especially in women with heavy periods.—
Sara Hoffman,
Verywell Health,
18 June 2026
Verb
-
Vance, asked by a reporter about the criticism from the Israeli government, singled out Israeli Cabinet officials who have attacked the deal, saying Netanyahu has not shared the same opposition in the vice president's conversations with him.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
The 20-year-old inmate would ask her to pass the phone around to different members of the family.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
Iran’s leaders insist the country’s nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes.—
Adithi Ramakrishnan,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
-
The thread running through all of these is the same worry, that decisions which used to be made by people who could be questioned are now made by systems that cannot, unless someone insists they be opened up.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
Verb
-
The masterclass also highlighted Chen’s exacting approach to directing performances.—
Marcus Lim,
Variety,
19 June 2026
-
Accordingly, the cigars that stood out to us when compiling this year’s list of premier smokes were the ones made by producers with a real sense of heritage, an exacting focus on craftsmanship, and a willingness to wait for optimum results.—
Richard Carleton Hacker,
Robb Report,
19 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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