as in shortages
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
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Recent Examples of lacks
The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
But Davies’s film has a patience and lightness of touch that Scorsese’s lacks, as well as a note-perfect lead in Gillian Anderson.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Noun
So Vegas has to hope that their forward depth is strong enough to balance out where their star power lacks, relative to other contenders.
—The Athletic Nhl, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.
—Damon Wise, Deadline, 6 Sep. 2025
But Davies’s film has a patience and lightness of touch that Scorsese’s lacks, as well as a note-perfect lead in Gillian Anderson.
—Elle Carroll, Vulture, 11 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacks
Noun
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China’s apparent surge in missile production comes as the US expends sophisticated defense systems in Ukraine and Israel, causing some ammunition shortages and sparking debate in Washington about how and where to deploy its high-end weapons.—
Tamara Qiblawi,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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When staffing shortages occur, the FAA will reduce the flow of air traffic to maintain safety.—
Joe Edwards,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Michelle spins a long and complicated tale, but insists Teddy was wrong about the Andromedans trying to infiltrate and poison humanity.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
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Supporters accuse House leadership of slowing the process, while Johnson’s team insists the chamber is simply following its normal schedule.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
But those who’ve watched the Blackhawks on a nightly basis know Spencer Knight has been masking some familiar defensive deficiencies.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
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This year, head coach Ime Udoka has even used him to initiate offense, thanks in part to some of Sheppard's deficiencies and one critical absence.—
Alex Kirschenbaum,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Tea begs him to surrender, warning him that PET plans to imprison both he and Ashley, which will leave Sofia without either parent.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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In between bickering with Rodgers and pining for a young would-be protégé named Elizabeth, played by Margaret Qualley, Hart gossips to the bartender—Eddie, portrayed by Bobby Cannavale—and begs him for just one more pour.—
Kyle McGovern,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The process requires finding a big enough question that can sustain the book.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Nov. 2025
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That includes the brackish water in aquifers that requires desalination, as well as reuse water that goes through additional treatment before being injected back into cities’ water supplies.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association in Tate's name.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Oct. 2025
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Geralt asks again, refocusing his concern on the well-being of his friend.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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However, mythmaking exacts costs on our understanding of the past.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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One game for the division (and the division’s one playoff spot)… And Seattle exacts revenge for 2019.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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One promising route involves converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which can then be transformed into fuels and chemicals using electricity from renewable sources.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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Getting there involves a short cliffside hike—pause at the top for the postcard view of the Dois Irmãos peaks—before descending a rocky path.—
Carla Vianna,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacks. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
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