1
as in absence
the fact or state of being absent
the lack of news about the fate of the soldiers was frustrating
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in shortage
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in need
a state of being without something necessary, desirable, or useful
the lack of fresh water at the campsite definitely would be a problem
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of lack
Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Ed Sheeran debuted his new look on Instagram on April 28, showing off his new hairstyle, or lack thereof.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Sometimes referred to as obesogenic environments, neighborhoods with less access to fresh produce and grocery stores, or that lack sidewalks and green space, are risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
Even though the action happened, there’s just a lack of accountability.
—Max Gao, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026
Ed Sheeran debuted his new look on Instagram on April 28, showing off his new hairstyle, or lack thereof.
—Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
The days after are also important as borrowers gain a new understanding of market conditions and lender responses to the Fed's moves, or lack thereof.
—Matt Richardson, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026
Sometimes referred to as obesogenic environments, neighborhoods with less access to fresh produce and grocery stores, or that lack sidewalks and green space, are risk factors for obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
—Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
Perhaps the owner’s unexpected absence was an indication that the rumors about my imminent demise were wrong and that things were not so certain.—
Saïd Sayrafiezadeh,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Around the world, birds flock to salt lakes, drawn by the flies and brine shrimp that live in them, and by the relative absence of predators.—
Rosa Lyster,
The New York Review of Books,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
That means there will be no shortage of motivation in these final weeks, and their key players should continue to play every minute despite their run to the semi-finals of the Europa League.—
Abdul Rehman,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
That’s just one example of what more than three decades of chronic school funding shortages under Colorado’s decades-old spending cap has led to.—
Kevin Vick,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The masterful move addressed the Rams’ most pressing need and gave them a Super Bowl-ready roster.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
-
On homelessness, Gersten supported the city’s current strategy, but raised pointed concerns about cost and scale, noting that Palomar Point’s per-unit price tag of more than $500,000 means such projects alone cannot meet the full need.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While many people get enough potassium from a balanced diet, some are more prone to a potassium deficiency.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
24 Apr. 2026
-
The Texas health department outlined the issues in an emergency plan deficiency letter in response to the camp’s application for a license to reopen.—
Marlene Lenthang,
NBC news,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
At the end of regret-flow plotlines, husbands tend to beg their wives for forgiveness by dropping to their knees.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Rollins stormed off the set, leaving Brandt and the rest of his co-hosts stunned, with the latter begging the former to return and finish his segment.—
Austin Perry OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The team asked people to memorize locations on a graph while smelling the scent of rose.—
Shayla Love,
New Yorker,
1 May 2026
-
At one point, Iran asked to move its games to Mexico, but that request was rejected.—
Anne M. Peterson,
Chicago Tribune,
1 May 2026
Verb
-
This has inevitably led to some conflicts; Hollywood actors tend to insist on their own way of doing things on set, Yang said.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
-
The Cuban government initially insisted that no deadline was offered and the talks were nothing but respectful.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The service As the hospitality definition of quiet luxury, Aman’s service is exacting yet understated, respectful and personalized.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
Every detail would instead need to be physically coordinated with exacting precision.—
Harmeet Kaur,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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