wanting

The word “wanting” means lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected. In plain terms, falling short or missing something expected — often in the phrase "found wanting.".

“Wanting” is pronounced WON-tihng (/ˈwɑntɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “wanting” used in a sentence: “The plan was ambitious, but the execution was found wanting.”

Depending on how it is used, “wanting” can be an adjective and a preposition.

“Wanting” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Wanting” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: lacking or falling short of what is needed or expected.

To be 'found wanting' means to fall short when tested or judged — to prove inadequate. The phrase comes from the idea of weighing something and finding it lacks the required weight. For example, 'His excuses were weighed and found wanting' means they failed to convince.

The two are close, and in this sense wanting means lacking. 'Lacking' plainly states that something is absent. 'Wanting' adds a sense of judgment — that what is missing was needed or expected, so the thing falls short of a standard. It often sounds more formal.

In this sense, yes. Describing something as wanting means it is deficient or falls short of what was needed, which is a criticism. Note this differs from 'wanting' meaning desiring something, as in 'wanting a holiday,' which is neutral. Context makes clear which meaning applies.