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
Reuters 3 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Many school kitchens lack walk-in freezers, convection ovens, or high-capacity dishwashers.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
However, for the broadcaster and the show’s production company, ITV Studios Australia, this also equates to a lack of control.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
An ebullient Babis told supporters that ANO would seek a one-party cabinet but would talk with two small parties – including the far-right SPD – for support as his party will lack an outright majority.
—Reuters 3 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025
Many school kitchens lack walk-in freezers, convection ovens, or high-capacity dishwashers.
—Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
Its founder, Diarrha N'Diaye-Mbaye, told The Cut that it was caused by a lack of longstanding financial investment, despite having quickly built a devoted following, earned accolades across beauty media, and gotten featured on shelves at Sephora stores nationwide.
—Sofía Viera, Allure, 10 Oct. 2025
However, for the broadcaster and the show’s production company, ITV Studios Australia, this also equates to a lack of control.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
The 31-year-old reliever's absence forced the Dodgers to replace him with Justin Wrobleski.—
Shaun McAvoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Oct. 2025
-
And while the absence of a hometown rooting interest obviously won’t translate into a total baseball blackout hereabouts, only someone who’s been clobbered over the head by Wonderboy might expect to see the World Series ratings reach the heights of last year.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Israel has limited aid to Gaza throughout the conflict, leading to desperate shortages of food and medicine.—
Greg Myre,
NPR,
9 Oct. 2025
-
The unrest on the island nation, triggered by power cuts and water shortages, has grown to reflect wider public anger over inequality, a cost-of-living crisis, and unemployment.—
Preeti Jha,
semafor.com,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Rising tensions around the world, particularly with China, have challenged America’s ability to secure all of those crucial needs.—
Jordan Valinsky,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
-
The social media post didn't specify which trim was added to the Tennessee Highway Patrol's fleet, but every Mustang can produce enough giddyup to satisfy the needs of troopers.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Sprinkle in Minerals Don't just toss in minerals at random, says Damrosch—only use when recommended by your soil test to correct deficiencies that have been identified.—
Miranda Crowell,
Better Homes & Gardens,
11 Oct. 2025
-
For that reason, the vast majority of companies now employ human reviews and stand-alone testing tools or services to address generative AI’s deficiencies.—
Philipp Eisenhauer,
Harvard Business Review,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
There’s a brilliant scene in which Linda unspools a throwdown rant at O’Brien’s character, begging him to help her but not willing to meet him halfway on the patient’s couch.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
9 Oct. 2025
-
Anderson doesn’t have to beg anybody to take Hardy seriously anymore.—
David Ubben,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
While other people were asking about promotions, titles, and raises, Burns was taking on the problems nobody else wanted to solve.—
Kimberly Wilson,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
-
McMahon has encouraged states to ask her to waive rules on spending the money.—
Megan O’Matz,
ProPublica,
8 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Though the industry is bracing for an EV sales slump, GM's leaders insist that investing deeply and early in a broad range of electric offerings was not a mistake.—
Jackie Charniga,
USA Today,
13 Oct. 2025
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The Republican speaker insists his party has been willing to discuss the health care issue with Democrats this fall, before the subsidies expire at the end of the year.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Where Frazer’s method was freewheeling, Indo-Europeanists are exacting.—
Manvir Singh,
New Yorker,
13 Oct. 2025
-
Who among us hasn’t fantasized in the shower about exacting elaborate revenge for petty upsets, or lain awake trying to reframe our humiliations as epic tales of triumph?—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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