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
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.
Recent Examples of lack
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Most focus on a lack of safety in their home states, especially around their handling of homelessness.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The penalties lack the due process protections of criminal court proceedings, Levy argued in his complaint.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
Eco effort Sustainability has clearly been considered here—there’s a lack of plastic, and restaurant suppliers are kept local wherever possible—but the hotel could do a better job at communicating its eco credentials to guests.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Most focus on a lack of safety in their home states, especially around their handling of homelessness.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
The $10 billion space telescope has also been spotting extremely bright, ultra-compact and incredibly dense galaxies that lack an abundance of dust.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 15 Jan. 2026
The penalties lack the due process protections of criminal court proceedings, Levy argued in his complaint.
—Calmatters, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
Vince Gill, the country star who joined the band after original member Glenn Frey died in 2016, shouldered most of the load caused by Walsh’s absence.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The White Stadium project is moving forward without a comprehensive assessment of its environmental, transportation, and economic impacts — an absence that is not procedural but consequential.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Wagner said the shortages of equipment and staff will have a lasting impact on rebuilding in his community.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sale speculation has surrounded Puma since last September, and there’s been no shortage on who could be buyers for the German sportswear brand.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The broader context underscores the need for new approaches.—
Mayo Clinic News Network,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
This dual approach — consumer tool plus enterprise solution — reflects a broader strategy to meet the distinct needs of patients and healthcare systems in a regulated environment.—
Sahar Hashmi,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The state has since stated that the medical center has corrected the deficiencies.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Older leaves often show the deficiency first.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In a new Shouts & Murmurs, Patricia Marx begs Pete Hegseth to invade and liberate her son’s messy apartment.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Beyond that, the natural beauty is spectacular and begs visitors to get outside and enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding.—
Kathryn Romeyn,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On the company’s earnings call, analysts asked CEO Tim Cook several questions about Apple’s access to memory components, which have seen their prices skyrocket due to demand related to chips necessary for artificial intelligence data centers.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Schnell said his department has repeatedly asked DHS to provide underlying data, methodologies or jurisdictional breakdowns but has received no response.—
Elizabeth Wolfe,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Darnold insisted he's tried to treat this week the same as any other, even if the stakes of the game are the highest, a mantra Macdonald has also preached.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
25 Jan. 2026
-
The Kremlin insists that to reach a peace deal, Kyiv must withdraw its troops from the areas in the east that Russia illegally annexed but has not fully captured.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Yet overall, the electrohydraulic steering, electronically adjustable damping, and brake-by-wire system combine for handling that feels as exacting as the monocoque’s tolerances.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
24 Jan. 2026
-
With the inimitable Chef Devin Denzer at the helm, Atsumeru utilizes the exacting refinement of traditional Japanese technique and blends it with the discipline, color, and loveliness of Nordic fare.—
Wendy Altschuler,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
