for (the) want of
idiom
: because of not having (something) : because (something) does not exist or is not available
For want of a better name, let's call it "Operation One."
People are dying for want of medical treatment.
The project failed for the want of adequate funding.
Examples of for (the) want of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Not for the want of trying, and the efforts of Apple, Google and Microsoft, together with the Fido Alliance, to move people towards a passwordless future with the evolution of passkeys notwithstanding.
—
Davey Winder, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
There are hundreds of similar stories of people being denied meaningful careers for want of the government’s permission to work.
—Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
This notion of free will, for want of a less provocative word, is nothing but a myth.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
There’s a ferocity when its needed, and there’s something regal, for want of a better word, about her.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for for (the) want of 
Davey Winder, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
There are hundreds of similar stories of people being denied meaningful careers for want of the government’s permission to work.
—Adam A. Millsap, Forbes, 11 Sep. 2024
This notion of free will, for want of a less provocative word, is nothing but a myth.
—Big Think, 24 June 2024
There’s a ferocity when its needed, and there’s something regal, for want of a better word, about her.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for for (the) want of
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'for (the) want of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near for (the) want of
Cite this Entry
“For (the) want of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20%28the%29%20want%20of. Accessed 15 Oct. 2024.
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