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
Relevance
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
Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
And don’t give me the lacking pass protection nonsense.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
But Bob is historically tardy and his research and prep work is historically always pretty lacking.
—Outside Online, 25 Feb. 2026
The millions of taxpayer dollars saved by eliminating this wasteful expenditure can be used toward academic achievement, which by all accounts is severely lacking.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Vučević is also a good defensive rebounder, an area in which the Celtics are greatly lacking.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Someone who speaks too directly is described as intense or lacking polish.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
These are all signs of a lacking musclespan, whereas not noticing any difficulties in everyday tasks suggests a stronger trajectory.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 11 Dec. 2025
Instead, safety measures, staffing and medical training were all lacking.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Adjective
Financial vulnerability in Cook County has declined modestly since 2022, with fewer households reporting having less than a week of savings and fewer lacking confidence in reaching long-term goals.
—Jennifer Tescher, Chicago Tribune, 5 Mar. 2026
And don’t give me the lacking pass protection nonsense.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 2 Mar. 2026
But Bob is historically tardy and his research and prep work is historically always pretty lacking.
—Outside Online, 25 Feb. 2026
The millions of taxpayer dollars saved by eliminating this wasteful expenditure can be used toward academic achievement, which by all accounts is severely lacking.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 22 Feb. 2026
Vučević is also a good defensive rebounder, an area in which the Celtics are greatly lacking.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Someone who speaks too directly is described as intense or lacking polish.
—Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
These are all signs of a lacking musclespan, whereas not noticing any difficulties in everyday tasks suggests a stronger trajectory.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 11 Dec. 2025
Instead, safety measures, staffing and medical training were all lacking.
—Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacking
Adjective
-
When Corms Don't Sprout If your corms haven’t sprouted after two weeks, there could be several reasons for this, such as rotting due to overwatering, insufficient warmth and humidity, or the corms being too dry.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Prior to the law being enacted, there was a penalty of 50% associated with an insufficient withdrawal.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Among the wins were directing (Paul Thomas Anderson), supporting actor (an absent Sean Penn), the coveted best picture award, and the inaugural statuette for casting.—
Erin Jensen,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
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Additionally, recipients must live in one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or the Northern Mariana Islands, and must not be absent from the United States for a full calendar month or 30 consecutive days.—
Asher Notheis,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
With poor air quality adding to an environment begging for a change, the project will demolish, redirect and streamline traffic connections between Jack London Square, Chinatown and West Alameda over the next three years.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
14 Mar. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
Yet users find forest maps deficient, trail signs dilapidated, campgrounds closed and information scarce.—
Evan Mills,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The true amount was probably less, but Ming Tai was a successful businessman, and marriageable Chinese women were incredibly scarce in New York.—
Charlotte Brooks,
Big Think,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
On multiple occasions Friday night, Rodriguez seemed to be favoring his hand after swinging and missing.—
David Eckert,
Austin American Statesman,
14 Mar. 2026
-
When a crew member is found dead and another goes missing, military investigator Paul Fischer is rushed aboard.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
About 120,000 people are in 580 overcrowded shelters with inadequate sanitation.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Trump also warned the House GOP that their existing version of the bill is inadequate.—
Lisa Mascaro,
Twin Cities,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
As the developers described the plan, residents began asking other questions, often interrupting.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Impacts could range from restrictions on pools and water parks, to temporarily shutting down water-intensive economic activities, including potentially some agriculture, and asking people to reduce their consumption, said Lambert in Doha.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Heat was also without Nikola Jovic (low back injury management), Terry Rozier (not with team) and Jahmir Young (G League) on Thursday.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Many unions, for instance, which have their own healthcare plans, might welcome lower drug prices.—
Jeremy Lott,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacking. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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