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
Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
The situation has turned more volatile, as the lack of oil supplies and a collapse of the electrical grid have extended already long blackouts.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The law is meant to constrain presidential uses of force that lack legislative approval.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
What began as a minor irritation turned into a yearlong medical odyssey marked by the lack of a diagnosis, ineffective treatments, and compounding side effects—all while costs escalated.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
The situation has turned more volatile, as the lack of oil supplies and a collapse of the electrical grid have extended already long blackouts.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cuban airports lack jet fuel, and buses are not running.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The law is meant to constrain presidential uses of force that lack legislative approval.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
But there were inexcusable losses along the way, losses that didn’t hinge on one player’s absence — and might’ve singlehandedly changed the conversation over USC’s season.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Asbille has not publicly commented on her absence from the show, People writes.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Progress in robotics Agility’s humanoid robot, Digit, has already entered the market, demonstrating its readiness to tackle the labor shortage in factories and warehouses.—
Atharva Gosavi,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Fuel prices in Asia have surged in recent days as processors reduce activity rates due to a shortage of crude, while state-of-the-art refineries in the Middle East cut production as storage runs out.—
Nicholas Lua,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
It was then abandoned after the war as there was no financial need to continue it at the time.—
Chris Sims,
IndyStar,
8 Mar. 2026
-
But the move wasn’t without its challenges, including limited access to capital as immigrants and the need to build a professional track record in a system where credit history and residency length matter.—
Laura Sharman,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The title refers to canines that are awaiting deployment, undergoing medical evaluation, being reviewed for deficiencies or leaving the service.—
Gary Robbins,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Many weed problems begin because lawn grasses are stressed due to nutrient deficiencies.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The main street that intercepts the end of my block is tree-lined and buzzing, with generous sidewalks, gleaming (and respected) crosswalks, and wide windowscapes just begging to be strolled and observed.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Mayor Brandon Johnson surely is looking from afar with envy, having begged Springfield for three years with no success to pass such taxes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Medvedev, already up one set, asked chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Noem insisted to Kennedy that the campaigns were effective.—
Rebecca Santana,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI’s head of national-security partnerships insisted that the answer was no.—
Matteo Wong,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Following 4-under-par 68 Friday, Daniel Berger enters the weekend at Bay Hill Club & Lodge at 13 under and with a five-shot cushion after just one bogey over 36 holes on a typically exacting layout.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Constanza failed to volley, and planned a Firestone snow tire night weeks later to exact revenge.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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