lacuna

noun

lə-ˈkü-nə How to pronounce lacuna (audio)
Definition of lacunanext
1
as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number attributes many of the nation's problems to a lacuna of leadership at the top

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in gap
an incomplete or deficient area a lacuna in its collection of Impressionists that the museum is trying to fill

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of lacuna At the heart of every biography, though, lies a lacuna—something unknowable, no matter how candid or heavily documented the subject, no matter how familiar or diligent the biographer. — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025 The experience attempts to recall lacunas or lost memories, yet in trying to remember, temporalities and subjectivities become muddled and new thoughts, ideas, and images form in the viewer’s mind. — Mariana Fernández, ARTnews.com, 18 Dec. 2024 The country is still waiting for its first win in the international category, a lacuna that adds even more pressure to the annual selection process. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 23 Sep. 2024 Among the problems that arise from this lacuna of information is that even the administration was unable to examine the plaintiffs’ purported issues with the program. — Ryann Liebenthal, The New Republic, 9 May 2023 See All Example Sentences for lacuna
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacuna
  1. shortage
  2. gap
  3. lack
  4. void
  5. deficiency
  6. hole
Noun
  • Russia has launched several large-scale attacks on Kyiv in recent weeks as Ukraine faces a shortage of Patriot air defense missiles, which are its most effective means of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 July 2026
  • Moscow seeks to capitalize on this shortage with ballistic missile strikes in early July killing dozens of Ukrainian civilians including children, and wounding hundreds more.
    — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of shortage
Noun
  • Inspectors also pointed to a large gap along the bottom of the bakery’s street-side double doors that could allow more insects or rodents to get inside.
    — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • But both of these increase the gap between the solar clock and the body’s internal clock, which has been linked to poor health outcomes.
    — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 17 July 2026
Definition of gap
Noun
  • The report included the lack of antimissile capabilities in the new aircraft, a Boeing 747-8 that was donated by the government of Qatar and later retrofitted.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 16 July 2026
  • Despite its lack of cutting-edge lithography machines, the incredible imbalance between supply and demand was enough to prompt it to enter the space.
    — Jon Martindale, PC Magazine, 16 July 2026
Definition of lack
Noun
  • Graham leaves a major void in the Senate, where seniority can determine influence.
    — Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2026
  • As cinema chains seek to supplement films from the major studios (which still lag behind pre-COVID numbers, though this year may change that), Fathom has increasingly been looking for a variety of programming that can help fill the void.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of void
Noun
  • This initiative aims to identify and voluntarily treat testosterone deficiencies, which naturally occur as levels decline after age 30.
    — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • Regarding testosterone supplementation specifically, the interest of some patients has at times outpaced our scientific and medical understanding of testosterone deficiency and its management.
    — Alexander P. Cole, STAT, 18 July 2026
Definition of deficiency
Noun
  • The Louisiana State University alum came into the round ahead by two strokes but quickly lost it and went birdie-free for the final 12 holes.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 19 July 2026
  • Below it, there’s a wide concave base with a drainage hole that’s ideal for faux flowers, real flowers, or decorative rocks.
    — Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 July 2026
Definition of hole

Browse Nearby Words

lacquers
lacuna
lacunae
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Cite this Entry

“Lacuna.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacuna. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on lacuna

Nglish: Translation of lacuna for Spanish Speakers

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