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
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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
Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
With a severly lacking ability to go for big plays on both offense and defense, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms belives the Bills will not be able to compete in the AFC in 2025.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
And every year is subject to the quality of the free-agent class, and 2021’s starting pitching market was especially lacking.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Art that truly centres girlhood, meanwhile, had too often been dismissed as sentimental or lacking intellectual rigor.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Others point a finger at the PA, which remains deeply unpopular among Palestinians and is seen by many as weak, corrupt and lacking legitimacy.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
But Wild coach John Hynes noted in training camp that Jiricek’s decision making in the heat of the battle in the defensive zone is sometimes lacking.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 27 Oct. 2025
And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
With a severly lacking ability to go for big plays on both offense and defense, former NFL quarterback Chris Simms belives the Bills will not be able to compete in the AFC in 2025.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Oct. 2025
Even well into the 1930s, America’s defense machinery was woefully lacking, especially in the critical transport of material and personnel.
—Robert Ross, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025
And every year is subject to the quality of the free-agent class, and 2021’s starting pitching market was especially lacking.
—Will Sammon, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
Art that truly centres girlhood, meanwhile, had too often been dismissed as sentimental or lacking intellectual rigor.
—Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 25 Sep. 2025
The film’s overall low-key tenor downplays both moral judgment and conspicuous style, though neither are entirely lacking.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025
Others point a finger at the PA, which remains deeply unpopular among Palestinians and is seen by many as weak, corrupt and lacking legitimacy.
—Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacking
Adjective
-
The decision followed a monthslong investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office that concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Yet most national climate targets remain outdated and insufficient.—
Natalie Unterstell,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The vote was 6-2 against Buchanan's reappointment, with two board members absent.—
Joseph Flaherty,
Arkansas Online,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Traditional holiday themes of generosity, salvation, and tradition are mostly absent here.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
After making its first appearance at the 2024 Live Más Live event, the dessert quickly built a cult-like reputation online, with fans sharing mockups, memes and petitions begging for a real release.—
Moná Thomas,
PEOPLE,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Yep, the 115 is the go-to when the faucet’s turned on and the trees are begging for tracks.—
Kimberly Beekman,
Outside,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Thrombectomy is the gold-standard treatment for major vessel blockages, but access remains scarce.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Palestinians are now returning to destroyed city blocks, where services are scarce, and access to water, food, and electricity is limited.—
Mohammed R. Mhawish,
New Yorker,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Perilous Voyages More than 5,100 Rohingya have taken boats to leave Myanmar and Bangladesh between January and early November this year, with nearly 600 people reported dead or missing, according to data from the UN Refugee Agency.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
9 Nov. 2025
-
As of Friday, nine people remain missing, who are believed to have been in the area at the time of the crash, ABC News and WAVE reported.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Eventually, inadequate nutrition promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and body.—
Brigid Dwyer,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Investing in the right set of tires can save you from having to frequently patch or replace inadequate tires.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Nestled on a picturesque blufftop parcel directly overlooking Paradise Cove beach, and offering around 90 feet of ocean frontage, the almost half-acre spread is asking a speck under $60 million, after first hitting the market for $75 million in early 2023.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Nov. 2025
-
The company is also focused on expanding team features, letting small businesses of 20-50 people share customer context so everyone knows a client’s history and preferences without asking twice.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The research team highlighted that beyond water harvesting, these coatings could help reduce urban heat island effects, lower energy needs for air-conditioning and provide climate-resilient water sources in regions facing growing heat and water stress.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
-
When camping in an open environment, select a campsite in a valley, ravine, or low region.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacking. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.
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