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
Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Skulls are where the most characteristic features of modern birds, such as a lack of teeth and an enlarged premaxillary bone in the upper beak, can be identified.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
In addition to his injuries, Becton also appeared to lack motivation and criticized fans on social media.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lack 
Noun
The commission cited arbitrary arrests, lack of evidence against detainees, mass hearings and limited access to defense lawyers as key concerns.
—Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025
Skulls are where the most characteristic features of modern birds, such as a lack of teeth and an enlarged premaxillary bone in the upper beak, can be identified.
—Katie Hunt, CNN, 5 Feb. 2025
Verb
Soldiers and the government alike say any new advances will require not just equipment and ammunition, but significant manpower that the country lacks.
—Erin Banco, Anastasiia Malenko, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2025
In addition to his injuries, Becton also appeared to lack motivation and criticized fans on social media.
—Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
Similarly, in the absence of federal guidance, more states have been looking at an APR cap of 36% in recent years.—
Lucinda Shen,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
-
During the war, NGOs served as the de facto public-sector leaders in the absence of the state.—
Jesse Marks,
Foreign Affairs,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Local leaders hope the recruitment campaign will help attract candidates amid a nationwide shortage of doctors.—
Daniel Chang,
CBS News,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But if the tariffs cause local shortages, prices could spike by more than 30 cents per gallon.—
Spencer Kimball,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But the otters could come back in the future with an improved enclosure that meets their needs.—
Molly Davis,
The Tennessean,
3 Feb. 2025
-
The modern income tax system was made official in 1913, though the U.S. tried to collect income taxes intermittently, depending on need, beginning in about 1860 (notably, to pay for the Civil War).—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes,
3 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Anemia: Blood disorders or vitamin C deficiency (scurvy) can cause chronic anemia (low red blood cells), reducing the blood's oxygen-carrying ability.—
Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed,
Health,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Unless Van Nistelrooy adopts a more pragmatic approach, even switching to a back five to hide the individual deficiencies these players possess defensively, Leicester may have a long wait to visit Everton’s new home.—
Rob Tanner,
The Athletic,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The shooting led to outrage in the East Colfax community with friends and residents begging the Denver Police Department and city officials to do something about crime in the neighborhood.—
Noelle Phillips,
The Denver Post,
6 Feb. 2025
-
For nearly a decade, District 79 officials waged a public relations battle, begging at the ballot box for taxpayers to approve a bond-issue referendum.—
Jesse Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Yes, the president was asked directly, is there anything that Elon Musk cannot touch?—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Feb. 2025
-
Despite that fact that artists don’t get paid for appearing in the Super Bowl Halftime show, it is considered a great honor to be asked.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
9 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
After the canopy at Novi Sad railway station collapsed in November, Mr. Vucic initially insisted that the structure had not been part of the renovation work.—
Andrew Higgins,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
Stynes has long insisted that the optimal snow conditions must be chased.—
Jen Murphy,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Notably, in 2017, then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) successfully used the thin margins in the Senate to exact concessions and force lawmakers to include a bigger child tax credit.—
Zach Halaschak,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
8 Feb. 2025
-
But only months after being sworn in, the spoils system exacted its most horrifying toll.—
Mo Rocca,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to lack
Thesaurus Entries Near lack
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share