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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in absent
not present or in evidence
for the moment anyway, wood for the fireplace is lacking
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lacking
Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.
—Irene Zabytko
may 7, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
So many young players come up the ranks lacking game management.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 7 May 2026
With Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco and Ronny Mauricio all injured, the options are somewhat lacking.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
The detainees—from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar and eight other nations—were found in restricted compounds, some lacking passports or proper immigration documentation.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
If your yard is a bit lacking in colorful birds, adding a feeder can help attract all sorts of them.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
But the upper frequencies are still slightly lacking.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Maresca’s raw qualifications, however, are somewhat lacking.
—Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Not just any type of bus, but a marshrutka—a crowded, rumbling, claustrophobic Soviet holdover minibus, solidly built with steel girding and equally lacking in shock absorbers and seat padding.
—Irene Zabytko
may 7, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
So many young players come up the ranks lacking game management.
—Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 7 May 2026
With Francisco Lindor, Jorge Polanco and Ronny Mauricio all injured, the options are somewhat lacking.
—Abbey Mastracco, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
The detainees—from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar and eight other nations—were found in restricted compounds, some lacking passports or proper immigration documentation.
—Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
If your yard is a bit lacking in colorful birds, adding a feeder can help attract all sorts of them.
—Brittany Vanderbill, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Apr. 2026
But the upper frequencies are still slightly lacking.
—Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 30 Mar. 2026
Loro Parque, a zoo on the island of Tenerife, offers a clean and safe environment, expert care and proper mental and social stimulation that Wikie and Keijo are desperately lacking.
—Valerie Greene, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacking
Adjective
-
Some medical experts are concerned that virtual care may be insufficient for prescribing weight loss drugs.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
-
Environmental stressors can include insufficient water, high temperatures, excessive moisture and/or nitrogen, severe pruning, or root damage.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Unlike last year, when advocacy groups on both sides staged more visible demonstrations, the off-track theatrics were largely absent.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
With several top names currently absent, Thekla has become a force at the top of the card and deserves her Wembley moment.—
Rob Wolkenbrod,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Verb
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In a story this complicated, where everyone from a little girl to a grown man from Boston is begging for their humanity, even Howard Stevens deserves some, too.—
Lyz Lenz,
Rolling Stone,
28 May 2026
-
Small steps were made, but dissatisfaction set in towards the end — and a golden chance went begging.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
Adjective
-
Through narrow, treacherous tunnels, some waterlogged and cold enough for wetsuits, others so tight oxygen was scarce, the men navigated 260 meters (approximately 850 feet), from the chamber they’d been trapped in to the cave’s mouth, a distance equivalent to the height of a 78-story building.—
Kocha Olarn,
CNN Money,
31 May 2026
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The outbreak has sickened at least 134 people and killed 18 across Congo and Uganda, with survivors describing harsh symptoms, scarce therapies and fearful neighbors who kept their distance.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
During the search for the missing mother and daughter and Fieramusca, FBI agents followed Green.—
Emily Blackwood,
PEOPLE,
29 May 2026
-
When tube feet were severed, the wound margin was a mess of missing or fragmented epidermal and connective tissue.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
The public environment, uneven sidewalks, inadequate street lighting, limited places to rest, also contributes to fall risk at a population level that clinical interventions alone cannot address.—
Adaira Landry,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
The order also alleges Eastland allowed camp nurses to administer medications under inadequate standing orders between March and July 2025.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
28 May 2026
Verb
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Leaders can make that distinction explicit by asking debaters to move from critique to contribution.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2026
-
There were so few sightings of lovebugs in 2023 that Leppla and other entomologists received calls from the public asking where the irksome little critters went.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 May 2026
Adjective
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Between 48 percent off platform sandals that feel just as cushioned as sneakers, to 60 percent off flexible, low-profile sneakers that’ll never challenge an overpacked suitcase, any of the shoes below will carry you through your summer outings in style.—
Julia Morlino,
Travel + Leisure,
29 May 2026
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Potential side effects of GLP-1s include nausea, vomiting, changes in vision, low blood sugar, and, in rare cases, thyroid cancer.—
Maia Rosenfeld,
NBC news,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacking. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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