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View synonyms for lack

lack

[ lak ]

noun

  1. an absence or inadequate amount of something needed, desirable, or customary:

    We had to severely limit our holiday gift shopping due to lack of funds.

    Lack of skill is the main reason he didn’t get the job.

    Synonyms: need, want, insufficiency, deficit, paucity, scarcity, dearth

    Antonyms: surplus

  2. something missing or needed:

    After he left, they really felt the lack.



verb (used with object)

  1. to be without or deficient in:

    She wants to become an actor, but unfortunately she lacks ability.

    Many of the villagers lacked even the basic necessities of life.

    Synonyms: need, want

  2. to fall short of a target or requirement by (a particular amount):

    He lacks three votes to win.

verb (used without object)

  1. to be absent or missing, as something needed or desirable:

    Three votes are lacking to make a majority.

verb phrase

  1. to be short of or deficient in:

    What he lacks in brains, he makes up for in brawn.

lack

/ læk /

noun

  1. an insufficiency, shortage, or absence of something required or desired
  2. something that is required but is absent or in short supply


verb

  1. whenintr, often foll by in or for to be deficient (in) or have need (of)

    to lack purpose

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lack1

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English lak; cognate with Middle Low German lak, Middle Dutch lac “deficiency”; akin to Old Norse lakr “deficient”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of lack1

C12: related to Middle Dutch laken to be wanting

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Example Sentences

This resulted in campaigns that were under-funded, chasing search volume that simply did not exist, and a general lack of evergreen brand paid search.

The lack of games also gives more practice time to Jakub Vrana, who came off the covid-19 list Tuesday.

While one of his Republican rivals has spent 30 years in the legislature, and two others have personal fortunes that will allow them to self-fund, Doran touts his lack of experience and wealth as assets.

Solutions exist, but they must be implementedTo address the internet gap, we believe that policymakers must identify lack of internet access as a barrier and protect against its effects.

This isn’t because these geese chose to go there, but rather because they’re forced to occupy these areas, thanks to a lack of habitat and booming human populations.

But in the case of black women, another study found no lack of interest.

There were also crashes not due to either mechanical or human error but to a lack of warning of dangerous conditions.

But this physical involvement, or lack of it, is only part of the problem.

There are a few good ones, Antoine says, but he complained bitterly of a lack of responsiveness.

The following month came, and for lack of a better term, I chickened out.

He is perplexed and hindered by the lack of soldiers, but is doing his best with his small forces.

The lack of bill buyers in foreign countries who will quote as low rates on dollar as on sterling bills.

The rapid spread of the revolt was not a whit less marvelous than its lack of method or cohesion.

He heard himself saying lightly, though with apparent lack of interest: 'How curious, Lettice, how very odd!

Such mutual distrust necessarily creates or accompanies a lack of moral courage.

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When To Use

What are other ways to say lack?

To lack something is to be without or deficient in it. How does lack compare to synonyms want, need, and require? Find out on Thesaurus.com

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