for (the) want of

idiom

: because of not having (something) : because (something) does not exist or is not available
For want of a better name, let's call it "Operation One."
People are dying for want of medical treatment.
The project failed for the want of adequate funding.

Examples of for (the) want of in a Sentence

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Liverpool’s relative lack of success from corners isn’t for want of creativity. Andy Jones, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024 According to court documents, the domestic violence charge, a misdemeanor, was dismissed for want of prosecution. Cameron Knight, The Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2024 To be blunt: People in the US simply are not dying for want of a $1.50 anti-malaria pill. Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024 Since 2003, the Polish parliament has discussed legalizing civil unions at least five times—but each time, the proposals have foundered for want of government support. Marta Figlerowicz, Foreign Affairs, 7 Aug. 2019 See all Example Sentences for for (the) want of 

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Cite this Entry

“For (the) want of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/for%20%28the%29%20want%20of. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

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