for lack of
idiom
: not having (the thing specified)
They called it a comet, for lack of a better term/word.
For lack of anything better to do, we went to the park.
Examples of for lack of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That conviction was overturned for lack of evidence by the state appeals court in January.
—
Colleen Slevin, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Two German teens were denied entry to the U.S. in Honolulu for lack of lodging confirmation.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Other food distribution programs have shut down for lack of supplies, and the U.N. and other aid groups have been sending their remaining stocks to the charity kitchens.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The blue shirt guy, for lack of a better term, landed a few haymakers that could be heard clearly on video.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for lack of
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Colleen Slevin, Twin Cities, 22 Apr. 2025
Two German teens were denied entry to the U.S. in Honolulu for lack of lodging confirmation.
—Zach Wichter, USA Today, 21 Apr. 2025
Other food distribution programs have shut down for lack of supplies, and the U.N. and other aid groups have been sending their remaining stocks to the charity kitchens.
—Wafaa Shurafa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
The blue shirt guy, for lack of a better term, landed a few haymakers that could be heard clearly on video.
—Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for for lack of
Cite this Entry
“For lack of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20lack%20of. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share