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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.

By the second week of the conflict, Asian countries had already placed fuel restrictions due to their lack of storage, he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 15, 2026

The lack of specificity leaves “open the possibility that several legitimate commercial decisions could be interpreted” as threatening Chinese supply chains, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

The apparent lack of interest in Terry as a manager is in stark contrast to some of his contemporaries from England's much-lauded 'golden generation'.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

Many providers lack the funding to hire a critical person who can help reduce incidents and a resident’s individual misery: on-site mental health specialists.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 14, 2026

“I can’t figure it out,” Charlie said, his lack of confidence evident in his voice.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

Vocabulary lists containing lack

Zilch, Zip, Nada: Words For Nothing

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ACT Vocabulary List

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Nobody's Home: Synonyms For "Absent"

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