lacked; lacking; lacks
1
: to be deficient or missing
time is lacking for a full explanation
2
: to be short or have need of something
he will not lack for advisers
The area does not lack for good restaurants.
: to stand in need of : suffer from the absence or deficiency of
lack the necessities of life
She lacked confidence.
1
: the fact or state of being wanting or deficient
a lack of evidence
2
: something that is lacking or is needed
Synonyms
Examples of lack in a Sentence
Verb
His book lacks any coherent structure.
They lack a good strategy for winning the election.
This painting lacks any artistic value.
She has never been accused of lacking confidence.
Many of these people lack the basic necessities of life.
Noun
The problem is a lack of money.
She has been suffering from a lack of sleep lately.
Her problem is lack of sleep.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
When water lacks fluoride, residents can seek a fluoride treatment at the dentist’s office.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Quartz Bot, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
Earlier this month Qatar said it could no longer be involved in mediation efforts due to a lack of willingness by both Hamas and Israel to engage in good faith attempts to end the deadly conflict.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lack 
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Verb
Until individuals, communities, local and state governments, federal agencies, and private companies come together to strengthen disaster preparedness, then response efforts will be lacking, and that will cost lives.
—Jess Craig, Vox, 17 Nov. 2024
When water lacks fluoride, residents can seek a fluoride treatment at the dentist’s office.
—Lisa M. Krieger, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Noun
The company identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over financial reporting due to a lack of qualified accounting personnel and insufficient segregation of duties.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 20 Nov. 2024
Earlier this month Qatar said it could no longer be involved in mediation efforts due to a lack of willingness by both Hamas and Israel to engage in good faith attempts to end the deadly conflict.
—Caitlin McFall, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lack
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Dictionary Entries Near lack
Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lack. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lack
1 of 2 verb1
: to be missing
2
: to need, want, or be short of
lacks money
lack
2 of 2 noun1
: the fact or state of being absent or in short supply
2
: something that is lacking or is needed
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