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
James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
—Sofi Zeman
august 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
But conviction, not to mention inspiration, are somewhat lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Verb
That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.
—Sofi Zeman
august 8, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
But conviction, not to mention inspiration, are somewhat lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 6 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacking
Adjective
-
The concern is that whatever AI safeguards might have been put in place are insufficient and are allowing people to incur mental harm while using generative AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
On both points, Kennedy argued that the publicly available data was insufficient.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
And in Longo’s image, the subtext is the absent laborer.—
Kristen Tauer,
Footwear News,
6 Sep. 2025
-
If students were not in class, they would be marked absent but would be excused if a parent called them out.—
Alec Johnson,
jsonline.com,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
As summer winds down and your strands have endured heatwaves, pool days, and sweaty workouts, your curls might be begging for a break.—
Larry Stansbury,
Essence,
4 Sep. 2025
-
If anything, people were begging me to stop.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The insights were gained from a climate station on Tajikistan’s Kyzylsu Glacier, a region where observational data has been scarce since the Soviet Union fell.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
-
If rainfall is scarce, they should be watered deeply every 7 to 10 days.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Milwaukee police are seeking the public's help in locating a critically missing 11-year-old girl.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Like the other mishap, McRae kicked her foot, and her white shoe went missing.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The report also stated that safety protocols in place were inadequate.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The United Kingdom even suspended publication of an official unemployment rate because of inadequate responses.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In that appeal, prosecutors are asking the Supreme Court to give them permission to appeal the order for a new trial, which prosecutors contend was improper.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Royal says that her uncle, Philip, Slough’s brother, is a solicitor in the UK and he’s written to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK, asking it to investigate their family's case with Swiss authorities.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Steer clear of puddles - Driving into puddles or low areas of rainwater can cause vehicles to hydroplane or skid out of control.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacking. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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