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
Lauryn Higgins, Time, 22 July 2025
United lack an athletic ball-winner in central midfield, but have multiple options for those two positions, and reinforcing might require a sale or two.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Kelly Evans, CNBC, 24 July 2025
The person denied being responsible for the noose, police said, noting that due to a lack of eyewitnesses and legal probable cause, no charges are expected against the person, who will not be allowed to return for any type of stadium construction.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
Ethanol or acetaldehyde sensitivity In people with alcohol intolerance, the body lacks the enzyme ALDH2 needed to break down acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct of alcohol metabolism.
—Lauryn Higgins, Time, 22 July 2025
United lack an athletic ball-winner in central midfield, but have multiple options for those two positions, and reinforcing might require a sale or two.
—David Ornstein, New York Times, 22 July 2025
Verb
And the Covid episode itself--when inflation hit 9% before the Fed finally began hiking dramatically--remains a major point of concern about the institution’s lack of intellectual diversity.
—Kelly Evans, CNBC, 24 July 2025
The person denied being responsible for the noose, police said, noting that due to a lack of eyewitnesses and legal probable cause, no charges are expected against the person, who will not be allowed to return for any type of stadium construction.
—Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 24 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
The absence of curiosity or push-back helps maintain the status quo, which keeps us stuck.—
Dr. Ella F. Washington,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
-
Pankow's absence is noticed on set of the final season, Cline says.—
Julia Moore,
People.com,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Spain, to cite but one example, has a housing shortage and is currently considering levying a 100% tax on foreign buyers of real estate.—
William P. Barrett,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
California already faces some of the highest housing costs in the country and a shortage of construction workers.—
Umair Irfan,
Wired News,
19 July 2025
Noun
-
The problem for Ruto (and Kenya) is that the economy is faring just well-enough to obviate the need for a sober look at the root causes of the protests and general public disgruntlement.—
Ken Opalo,
semafor.com,
21 July 2025
-
Federal prisons were instructed to stop offering medical care specific to a transgender person’s needs.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
21 July 2025
Noun
-
This 2020 essay provides a deep dive into literacy deficiencies, fear, psychological reasoning, disproportionate weighting of information on the Internet, and other factors that perpetuate them.—
Marshall Shepherd,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
-
Not only are the two parties unpopular in polling terms, but their struggle for power seems defined more by their deficiencies and limitations than by the breadth of their appeal.—
Craig Gilbert,
jsonline.com,
18 July 2025
Verb
-
This begs the question: What else is there to say about Young and his offseason?—
Alex Zietlow
July 23,
Charlotte Observer,
23 July 2025
-
On top of that, the battery easily goes a week without begging for a charger, and the square AMOLED display is way easier to read mid-run than a round one.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
21 July 2025
Verb
-
Fastow started by going door to door to dozens of insurance brokers in San Francisco and asking them about their pain points and most time consuming tasks.—
Josipa Majic Predin,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
-
The department published a serious note to its Facebook page early Monday after the Free Press asked about it.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
But Beijing and Hong Kong insist the national security laws were necessary for the city's stability.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 July 2025
-
The club insisted Isak was left behind because of a minor thigh problem but The Athletic reported on Thursday sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorised to do so publicly, indicated the forward favoured being omitted amid his uncertain future.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
Verb
-
Based on Jules Verne’s Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea, Nautilus follows Nemo’s mission to exact revenge on the East India Mercantile Company, and goes on a raucous adventure beneath the sea in the process.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
But restricting kids from encountering tricky movement problems, such as racing at full speed down a rocky slope or climbing high in a tree, can exact a toll.—
Henry Abbott,
The Atlantic,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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