LACKS Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

lacks 1 of 2

noun

plural of lack

as in shortages

a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number the lack of eligible candidates for the jury kept the trial from getting started

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

lacks

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of lack

as in insists

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of lacks

Noun

Long used in commercial kitchens for sinks and countertops, steel sinks contain chromium that provides corrosion-resistance and nickel that adds the brightness pure steel lacks. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 July 2026 The Anaheim Ducks, at least, had a lot of pace and tempo to help make up for what Carlson’s skating lacks at this point in his career. — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 July 2026 Nothing beats a big package or a pipe to compensate for decorations, makeup, and other lacks. — Joyce Mansour, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids. — Merve Ceylan, Health, 22 June 2026 The artist thought that paintings and drawings have a certain depth that photography on its own lacks. — Kelsey Ables, The Atlantic, 13 June 2026 What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 7 June 2026 The Drive The turbo engine gives it the push the standard engine lacks, especially when merging, climbing grades or passing. — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026 Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours. — Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for lacks

Noun

Wong said the permanent closure was a result of rising food costs, inflation, labor shortages and the economy in general.

— Daily News, Daily News, 10 Aug. 2026
Leaders of the nonprofit hospital in Alabama’s capital blamed its collapse on financial pressures, including mounting debt, staffing shortages and Alabama’s refusal to expand Medicaid that would cover more of the state’s uninsured.

— Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortages

Verb

Harvey, whose own foundation went 17 years without winning a single grant, argues AI can cut the paperwork burden — but insists human judgment and relationships stay irreplaceable.

— Victor Dey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Instead of budgeting for $1,800 in tissues, the school insists on agitating parents all summer over crap like this.

— Joe Kinsey OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of insists

Noun

Construction defects, insulation deficiencies, and air leakage throughout the home or building can significantly affect how well the heating and cooling system performs.

— Brynn Cooksey, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
If there were concerns about how the trip was reported, the attorneys argued, the district had multiple opportunities to raise them and allow Carvalho to correct any deficiencies but never did.

— Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of deficiencies

Verb

The warm waffle can be filled with matcha, strawberry soft serve or a swirl of both, then dressed up Pocky sticks for a dessert that practically begs for a photo before the first bite.

— Brittany Anas, Denver Post, 11 Aug. 2026
That's because when the stakes are high, and the actors begin to cry, the serious tone begs to be subverted by a humorous caption.

— Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of begs

Verb

To avoid a runoff, Graham Nordone needed to pass the 50% threshold in Tuesday’s special primary election, as South Carolina law requires a candidate to win more than half of the vote to secure their party’s nomination.

— Max Grinstein, The Washington Examiner, 12 Aug. 2026
That requires dialogue, especially during difficult times, a fearlessness to confront rather than cower, and in-person meetings not memos.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of requires

Verb

Ali then exacts his revenge, pumping several rounds into Alamo's chest as the antagonistic figure falls for good.

— Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 1 June 2026
Shrinking lake ice exacts its price Depending on how much greenhouse gases warm the planet in the coming years, the average lake could lose up to 10 to 28 days of ice cover by the end of the century, says Sapna Sharma, a global change biologist at York University in Canada.

— Berly McCoy, NPR, 2 Mar. 2026

Definition of exacts

Verb

That gap highlights why China’s semiconductor self-sufficiency drive involves more than producing domestic chips.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026
If insurance falls short, the third line involves strategic litigation defense, aiming to settle cases early to minimize costs and uncertainty.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of involves

Browse Nearby Words

lackluster

lacks

laconic

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“Lacks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lacks. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of lacks

noun

verb

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