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.
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Recent Examples of lack
Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Washington and Colorado's programs have run into challenges, including a lack of participation from clinicians, hospitals, and other care providers, as well as insurers' inability to meet rate reduction benchmarks or lower premiums compared with other plans offered on the market.
—Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Second — and more consequential — the same environments systematically lack the institutional capacity to shepherd that talent into adulthood.
—Mark Mitchell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
Kathy Johnson, a resident of Farmington, spoke to the lack of transparency her city has seen on data centers.
—Mary Murphy, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026
Washington and Colorado's programs have run into challenges, including a lack of participation from clinicians, hospitals, and other care providers, as well as insurers' inability to meet rate reduction benchmarks or lower premiums compared with other plans offered on the market.
—Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, NPR, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
Could artificial intelligence help people who lack access to legal representation in Georgia’s rural counties?
—Shaddi Abusaid, AJC.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Second — and more consequential — the same environments systematically lack the institutional capacity to shepherd that talent into adulthood.
—Mark Mitchell, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
In the absence of mandatory reporting rules, she and other doctors are often left to rely on rumors, their grapevines of colleagues, and the fragments of information the state public health agency is able to gather and willing to share.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
-
This year, the books and magazines featured in the library address the presence and absence of women in the arts and media from different perspectives.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The study further concludes that current crackdown has reduced employment in those and other industries where employers face shortages.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
There is a shortage of specialists in Ukraine and hospitals have come under attack.—
Carol Guzy,
NPR,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In desperate need of a bucket, Musselman put the ball in the hands of his star freshman.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The Sharks, at the moment, do not have a pressing need to create an opening on the 23-man roster.—
Curtis Pashelka,
Mercury News,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Your tall tree did well to grow to 30 years of age but is now showing signs of maybe greening disease, trunk decline and nutrient deficiency in an accompanying email photo.—
Tom MacCubbin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
For example, whitish nails might indicate a vitamin deficiency or liver disease.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
With their strong lines and solid structure, fences are just begging to be planted with vines and other climbing plants.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 Feb. 2026
-
In a TikTok on Wednesday, the singer-songwriter begged Wikipedia users to stop changing the photo on her page.—
Kory Grow,
Rolling Stone,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Kidd was noncommittal when asked if Flagg will play at all on Dallas’ upcoming three-game road trip, which has stops in Minnesota, Indiana and Brooklyn.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Through a stellar debut season, freshman Jazzy Davidson has done everything for USC that was asked of her.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Uludag denied the accusations during questioning, insisting that his posts were legitimate criticism made in his capacity as a judiciary reporter, according to court documents published by Cumhuriyet newspaper.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
-
The French insisted that their routine had a high level of difficulty and that they had been rewarded justly.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Their philosophy is both intentional and exacting, leaving no room for compromise.—
Jason Phillips,
USA Today,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Custom curtains are tailored to exact measurements and preferences, offering a precision fit and higher-quality materials.—
Gretchen M. Stone,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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