as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a famine of good general practitioners in many rural areas
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Recent Examples of famine
As such, their budget is very small compared to programs that treat or prevent HIV or respond to famine, for example.
—
Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
In November, Kadugli was declared by international monitors to be in famine.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 Jan. 2026
Snow here is feast or famine—either nothing or a blizzard that shuts down life for a week.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Widespread violence, including allegations of a genocide in the western Darfur region, has led to at least 150,000 people being killed, alongside famine and a collapse of health systems in what the UN has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for famine
Thalia Beaty, Fortune, 6 Feb. 2026
In November, Kadugli was declared by international monitors to be in famine.
—Reuters, NBC news, 27 Jan. 2026
Snow here is feast or famine—either nothing or a blizzard that shuts down life for a week.
—Valerie Fraser Luesse, Southern Living, 22 Jan. 2026
Widespread violence, including allegations of a genocide in the western Darfur region, has led to at least 150,000 people being killed, alongside famine and a collapse of health systems in what the UN has called the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
—Preeti Jha, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
-
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In addition to the effects of the pandemic and tariffs, climate issues — drought in Vietnam, heavy rain in Indonesia, and hot, dry weather in Brazil — are blamed for reducing yields of coffee crops and driving up global prices.—
Matt Sedensky,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2026
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The state should strengthen groundwater and surface-water protections, invest in modern infrastructure, and expand conservation, recycling, and reuse — especially in fast-growing and drought-prone regions.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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