lack
noun
an absence or inadequate amount of something needed, desirable, or customary.
were lacking
-
past progressiveof lack.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Maybe that was down to them playing on Thursday night, while City had their Champions League game on Tuesday, but it was not just energy that United were lacking.
From BBC ● Sep. 13, 2026
While many of the details were already known, the reports reaffirmed that individual screeners underperformed and that leadership and oversight were lacking when things were going wrong.
From BBC ● May 14, 2026
In 1985, when Viacom bought MTV Networks, cost-control guys took over who were lacking vision for what the company could become.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2025
A series of massive hits can change the mood, but those were lacking this summer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2025
“I found your performance curious, and the reaction of your audience somewhat perplexing. You were lacking in precision.”
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
