Synonyms of lacking

lacking 1 of 2

adjective

1

as in insufficient

not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need

we felt the afternoon television offerings were somewhat lacking in entertainment value

Synonyms & Similar Words

• insufficient
• scarce
• inadequate
• low
• deficient
• short
• wanting
• unacceptable
• sparse
• shy
• unsatisfactory
• poor
• substandard
• scant
• small
• meager
• scanty
• skimpy
• spare
• lean
• light
• minimum
• mere
• slender
• stingy
• bare
• slim
• skimp
• slight
• hand-to-mouth

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• sufficient
• enough
• abundant
• ample
• plentiful
• generous
• liberal
• copious
• bountiful
• plenteous
• enlarged
• bounteous
• satisfactory
• supplemented
• expanded
• overflowing
• tolerable
• large
• rich
• considerable
• substantial
• plenitudinous
• lavish
• teeming
• super
• big
• sizable
• abounding
• luxuriant
• hefty
• oversize
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

2

as in absent

not present or in evidence

for the moment anyway, wood for the fireplace is lacking

Synonyms & Similar Words

• absent
• missing
• nonexistent
• lost
• extinct
• wanting
• vanished
• inadequate
• insufficient
• sparse
• done
• obsolete
• departed
• scarce
• over
• expired
• defunct
• finished
• uncommon
• rare
• perished
• dead
• lapsed
• passé

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• present
• existent
• active
• alive
• current
• living
• thriving
• common
• prevalent
• prevailing
• going
• apparent
• evident
• obvious
• conspicuous
• plain
• animate
• uncanceled

lacking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lack

as in begging

Related Words

• begging
• hurting (for)
• asking
• insisting
• crying (for)
• involving
• requiring
• needing
• clamoring (for)
• pressing
• commanding
• enjoining
• exacting
• wanting
• demanding
• necessitating
• challenging
• stipulating
• claiming
• entailing
• questing
• warranting
• taking
• bearing

Dissimilar Words

• having
• holding
• possessing
• owning

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of lacking

Adjective

Items including flan and cheese cake in front display case and guacamole, rice and cheese dip in walk-in cooler lacking date mark. — Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

That said, my voice was a little lacking in detail, so don't expect an ultra-high-end natural sound. — Christian De Looper, PC Magazine, 2 Nov. 2026

Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking. — Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026

The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context. — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026

But concrete evidence of Clark fans acting in a hateful manner — at least in real time — is severely lacking. — Matt Calkins Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Sep. 2026

With access from both the east and west sides of the campus, the museum’s park creates a pedestrian connection between Vermont Avenue to the west and the rest of Exposition Park to the east, which was previously lacking. — Christina Merino, Daily News, 2 Sep. 2026

Ohio's fittest cities don't rank in the national top 25, but that doesn't mean the Buckeye State is unhealthy or lacking amenities. — Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2026

Where to Stay Ely hosts a handful of hotels and motels within town limits, but true luxury accommodations are somewhat lacking. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 18 Aug. 2026