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lack 1 of 2

noun

Definition of lacknext
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

lack

2 of 2

verb

as in to hurt (for)

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Dissimilar Words

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
Noun
Some smaller communities might be unable to operate due to lack of revenue. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026 She was struck by the willingness of younger officers to openly talk about the mental toll of the job, recalling a recent visit to a roll call in which an officer described feeling a lack of support after being involved in an on-duty shooting. — Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Verb
According to a news release about the announcement, more than half of the School District of Philadelphia's schools lack adequate cooling systems. — Ross Dimattei, CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 Ojomo’s curiosity and intensity require the coach to never set a limit — and never lack an answer. — Zach Berman, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
  1. absence
  2. shortage
  3. need
  4. beg
  5. deficiency
  6. ask
  7. insist
  8. exact
Noun
  • These behaviors were rarely seen in the absence of cocaine, illustrating how a normally varied set of actions can become restricted to a persistent behavioral pattern, according to a press release.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Freshman Carter Dahlke, who made his first start in Dowler's absence, had seven receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of absence
Noun
  • The head of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association said consumers likely will face shortages and additional price increases this fall and winter.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Her question to Caine about his concern over a munitions shortage also aired on Face the Nation — just not on 60 Minutes.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • Surely, The New York Times suggests in its review of the book, Green sees himself in Juniper’s need to be taken seriously as an adult.
    — Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 24 Sep. 2026
  • In a statement, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation acknowledged the need to improve regulation and ensure it is applied consistently in every county.
    — Robert J. Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of need
Verb
  • The legendary decathlete who climbed 99 steps to light the cauldron at the Coliseum in 1984 just begged Wasserman not to repeat the punishing path.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The Sarti Spritz has built a devoted following from Americans visiting Europe over the past few years, posting the bubbly concoction on TikTok and begging the company to bring it stateside.
    — Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of beg
Noun
  • The American Society of Hematology recently set new standards for diagnosing iron deficiency.
    — Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Authorities confirmed that the deficiencies identified during the permitting process had been addressed.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of deficiency
Verb
  • As Arkansas families navigate a new education landscape, asking the right questions can help ensure that choice leads not just to change, but to growth, stability, and opportunity for the students who matter most.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Then Teresa gets brought up onstage by the mentalist, who asks her to think of someone meaningful in her life from before the cameras, who nobody in the room would know the name of.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of ask
Verb
  • Rather than insisting that these whales continue with their life, which is a human decision, perhaps they should be allowed to die gracefully and respectfully on their own.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Cage solved my next problem by insisting that the way to discover new things is to overcome our dependence on our likes and dislikes, those supposed pillars of criticism.
    — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of insist
Verb
  • The moment highlights Ali’s affinity for fashion, often captured through WWD’s lens, which, like his presence in the ring, is rendered with precision through Parks’ exacting gaze.
    — Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Gianmarco does live up to his Simon Cowell role as the panel’s resident skeptic, though Kumail is also an exacting judge, repeatedly grilling or scoffing at the players and even fact-checking them.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of exact

Browse Nearby Words

lacings
lack
lackadaisical
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Cite this Entry

“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lack

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