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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.

It’s been a magnet for developers because of the cheap land, available power, fiber lines and, importantly, its lack of local business restrictions.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

Music fan Alex Milsom tells BBC Newsbeat the festival did warn that rain was forecast, but says there was a lack of communication during the day.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2026

He also questioned the newly hired executive producer, Nick Bilton, and his ability to run the show, citing his lack of TV news experience.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Divorced four years later and embarking on a Hollywood career, she came to regret her lack of formal education.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

He doesn’t have any muscles, but it’s not from a lack of trying.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold




Vocabulary lists containing lack


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