Definitions

lack

[lak] / læk /

NOUN

deficiency, need

Synonyms

STRONGEST

absence dearth inadequacy loss paucity poverty reduction scarcity shortage shortcoming shortfall

STRONG

abridgement curtailment decrease default defect deficit depletion deprivation destitution distress exigency exiguity inferiority insufficiency meagerness miss necessity privation retrenchment scantiness shortness shrinkage shrinking slightness stint want

WEAK

insufficience

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abundance affluence enough excess plenty success sufficiency

STRONG

addition advantage enlargement expansion increase perfection

WEAK

extra lot plethora profusion surplus

VERB

do not have

Synonyms

STRONGEST

need require want

STRONG

minus miss out

WEAK

be deficient in be short of be without have need of hurting for not got too little too late

Antonyms

STRONGEST

dislike have

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.

Some business owners have also told BBC News NI that they felt ignored by politicians at Stormont and criticised the lack of financial support for traders.

From BBC

Nor will the lack of a final document from the RevCon cause "immediate or damaging consequences" to the NPT, she said.

From Barron's

Commissioned in November, it represents a marked upgrade from China’s first two carriers, which lack aircraft-launching catapults that are standard on American carriers.

From The Wall Street Journal

“There has been a lack of that in our media, in our everyday conversations,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The lack of bodies will heighten demands among the club's support for United to bolster Amorim's squad with new arrivals in the January transfer window.

From BBC

lack

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words