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
Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
The situation has turned more volatile, as the lack of oil supplies and a collapse of the electrical grid have extended already long blackouts.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The law is meant to constrain presidential uses of force that lack legislative approval.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Noun
What began as a minor irritation turned into a yearlong medical odyssey marked by the lack of a diagnosis, ineffective treatments, and compounding side effects—all while costs escalated.
—Harvard Business Review, 11 Mar. 2026
The situation has turned more volatile, as the lack of oil supplies and a collapse of the electrical grid have extended already long blackouts.
—Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
Cuban airports lack jet fuel, and buses are not running.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 5 Mar. 2026
The law is meant to constrain presidential uses of force that lack legislative approval.
—Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lack
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lack
Noun
-
Newborn mammals find comfort in contact, and rescue animals sometimes seek solace from fuzzy toys in the absence of their families, said Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Colorado at Boulder.—
KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The Bank of America Stadium crowd felt the absence of Messi, but found something else to latch onto.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Fuel shortages have forced authorities to impose rolling electricity outages across the country and limit some public services.—
Jarrett Renshaw,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
The same sources also say the brand hasn't made significant profit from the phone, as costs remained high and kept rising amid the global memory shortage.—
James Peckham,
PC Magazine,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But not all airlines hedge, and those that do are usually only protected for a portion of their fuel needs, meaning prolonged price surges may cause more carriers to raise fares.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Ledezma, a senior research analyst at the CSU Chancellor’s Office and doctoral candidate at UC Irvine, spoke during her interview about the need to remove barriers for students in the region.—
Walker Armstrong,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But, then again, this has been a season largely defined by how queens’ deficiencies can become strengths.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Getting backed down by Dončić was only one piece of an embarrassing bloodbath for the Bulls that highlighted every facet of this team’s defensive deficiencies.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The main street that intercepts the end of my block is tree-lined and buzzing, with generous sidewalks, gleaming (and respected) crosswalks, and wide windowscapes just begging to be strolled and observed.—
Claire Salinda,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Mayor Brandon Johnson surely is looking from afar with envy, having begged Springfield for three years with no success to pass such taxes.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Those employees, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of retribution, described being asked a wide range of questions about government contracts and campaign donations.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Medvedev, already up one set, asked chair umpire Aurelie Tourte for a video review.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Remember way back when Kristi Noem insisted upon an ad campaign from the secretary of Homeland Security blasting across America’s airports?—
Larry Wilson,
Oc Register,
14 Mar. 2026
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Despite the backlash, DeRosa has insisted the criticism has created misleading narratives about his handling of the team and his understanding of the tournament format.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But the drug war had exacted a heavy toll in his diocese.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The statement signaled a willingness to continue the war that has disrupted global energy supplies, international travel and the relative safety enjoyed by the Gulf Arab states, and which has also exacted a heavy toll on Iran’s leadership, military and ballistic missile program.—
Natalie Melzer,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lack. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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