lacking 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of lackingnext
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

lacking

2 of 2

verb

present participle of lack
as in begging

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacking
  1. insufficient
  2. absent
  3. begging
  4. scarce
  5. missing
  6. inadequate
  7. asking
  8. low
Adjective
  • The representation of female directors in the five major film festivals, however, is still below 30%, according to the study, while recognition at top awards show such as the Oscars is still insufficient.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Significant obstacles remain: insufficient private investment, market fragmentation across 27 member states, and regulatory complexity could undermine Europe's ambitions.
    — Federico Guerrini, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • Photo : Icon 4x4 For this prototype, sound-deadening materials and carpeting were absent in order to help locate newfound creaks and rattles that a V-8 engine might cover up.
    — Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 2 Apr. 2025
  • At the tender age of four, his mother died, leaving him in the care of an absent father.
    — Ryan Easby, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of absent
Verb
  • If your home is begging for a refresh, don’t miss the chance to save on furniture and decor at Wayfair’s epic spring sale.
    — Ali Faccenda, People.com, 24 Mar. 2025
  • Rebecca was then allegedly seen on camera begging Yolanda to call 911 multiple times as her wife told her to go back inside.
    — Bailey Richards, People.com, 23 Mar. 2025
Definition of begging
Adjective
  • Details of who makes up the DOGE staff have been scarce despite the intense media attention on the team's efforts.
    — Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025
  • As a rule, if rain is scarce, a crepe myrtle needs two to three gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter per week.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 26 Mar. 2025
Definition of scarce
Adjective
  • Spies was thought to have gone missing after failing to return home following a weekend trip with her partner in Dalby in Queensland’s remote Western Downs, per news.com.au.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
  • The Illini basketball team’s missing disclosures reflect an indifference to documenting NIL deals across the athletic department, the news organizations found.
    — Stacy St. Clair, ProPublica, 4 Apr. 2025
Definition of missing
Adjective
  • This was a massive error of the College Board’s own making and their initial response was panned as inadequate by parents, students and the college admissions community.
    — Scott White, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • This high failure rate is often due to inadequate market research, incorrect timing or a failure to understand customer needs.
    — Pooja Sathe, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
Definition of inadequate
Verb
  • The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the administration’s order, which puts Haitians at risk of being returned to a country overrun by deadly gangs.
    — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 15 Mar. 2025
  • The Purple One was not pleased when his band started asking questions.
    — Jordan Runtagh, People.com, 15 Mar. 2025
Definition of asking
Adjective
  • The survey's measure of consumer sentiment dropped to a level lower than at any point during the Great Recession.
    — Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Some hurdles are too low (come on, everyone knows Deborah won’t be mad at Ava forever), and others are too high.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2025
Definition of low
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.

Browse Nearby Words

lackeys
lacking
lackluster
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Cite this Entry

“Lacking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacking. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.

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