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
Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024
This led to a sector that was highly fragmented and dominated by ‘mom-and-pop’ practices that typically used antiquated software and lacked marketing expertise, while their physical offices were often dreary and out-of-date.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lack 
Verb
But instead of losing to Gotham for the first time in the six matches, the Wave extended their home-unbeaten streak to four contests despite once again lacking Naomi Girma and Alex Morgan.
—Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2024
This led to a sector that was highly fragmented and dominated by ‘mom-and-pop’ practices that typically used antiquated software and lacked marketing expertise, while their physical offices were often dreary and out-of-date.
—Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 13 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for lack
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'lack.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Lack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lack. Accessed 18 May. 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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