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Definitions

lack

[lak] / læk /




Usage

What are other ways to say lack? The verb lack means to be without or to have less than a desirable quantity of something: to lack courage, sufficient money, enough members to make a quorum. Need often suggests urgency, stressing the necessity of supplying what is lacking: to need an operation, better food, a match to light the fire. Require, which expresses necessity as strongly as need, occurs most frequently in serious or formal contexts: Your presence at the hearing is required. Successful experimentation requires careful attention to detail.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The researchers note that this lack of representation makes it more difficult to understand how dementia risk develops over time and to identify prevention strategies that may work effectively for everyone.

From Science Daily Aug. 16, 2026

Despite typos and a complete lack of please or thank you, Claude obliged.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 15, 2026

George Jeffery, a Conservative member of the local council's cabinet, fears a "lack of enforcement" means the authority has been seen as a "soft touch".

From BBC Aug. 15, 2026

The moves come as Americans are beset by concerns about the housing market, including rising mortgage rates and a lack of affordability.

From MarketWatch Aug. 14, 2026

And then I told him quickly about Helena, and the lack of work, except for German jobs that required money to get.

From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron

When easyJet lacks staff at an airport, they are called in from another base, which must then fill its own gaps, said Bourdon.

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

Neptune is a curious planet, as it is the only one in the solar system that lacks a "typical" moon system of large, ordered satellites, meaning its evolutionary pathway might also be unique.

From Science Daily Aug. 14, 2026

CNN inexplicably settles for photos over video way too often and races through so many touchstones that the series often lacks sports context.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 13, 2026

Certainly not, for the basic reason that a pluralistic legislature lacks the singular, hierarchical decision-making that a president brings to bear.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 11, 2026

Especially in premodern times, most of the calories feeding an agricultural population came from a single crop—such as wheat, potatoes or rice—that lacks some of the vitamins, minerals and other nutritional materials humans need.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari

But Guessos said that young people in the country lacked places "where they can express their frustrations, defend their rights and take part".

From Barron's Aug. 15, 2026

Leavitt lacked the understanding, intelligence or inclination to manage the situation.

From Salon Aug. 14, 2026

Another team was deeply concerned that Harvard Square lacked hot-cookie delivery at 3 a.m.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 12, 2026

The protein has been linked to Alzheimer's disease, but it has remained poorly understood partly because researchers have lacked suitable compounds for studying it.

From Science Daily Aug. 3, 2026

These, too, were called sciences—but philosophy and theology were purely conceptual explorations that lacked an accompanying applied skill.

From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton

"If you feel like it's a bit lacking," Jason says, "then, why not?"

From BBC Aug. 15, 2026

They found that mice lacking CRH receptor 1 produced more OPCs during the early stages of development.

From Science Daily Aug. 14, 2026

Water systems in smaller communities depend on internet-connected automated systems, with many lacking the resources to provide adequate security.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 9, 2026

There are many reasons to decline, including living far away, health issues, conflicts of interest, or simply lacking the time or ability to manage the estate.

From MarketWatch Aug. 7, 2026

I wasn’t lacking in ambition, but it was going to take plain luck to make it in this place.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo




Vocabulary lists containing lack


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