FAMINE Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

famine

noun

ˈfa-mən

Definition of famine

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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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 famine The family’s myrtle digestif recipe dates to 1939, when myrtle berries helped sustain the local population during famine. — Layne Randolph, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026 Today, many former Biden Administration officials argue that their pressure on the Israelis prevented a famine from happening sooner. — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026 Violent conflict is a common denominator of contemporary famine, and famine or the risk of famine has already been noted in several countries in the region. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 Yemen, one of the world’s poorest countries, is still recovering from the civil war that plunged parts of the nation into famine. — ABC News, 14 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for famine

Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine

Noun

Russian forces have increased the number of missile strikes on Ukrainian cities in recent weeks, likely as part of a push to exploit Kyiv’s shortage of ballistic missile interceptors.

— Sam Meredith, CNBC, 3 Aug. 2026
Lawmakers have also approved some measures authorizing private investment into the tourism industry, which has been devastated by the departure of hotel giants in response to US sanctions and flight cancellations due to fuel shortages.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of shortage

Noun

As Jackson alluded to, the biggest change in practice – outside the lack of ones or sevens – was the flow.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
According to Lupo, Boise’s above-average traffic congestion, coupled with a lack of economic diversity, dragged Boise’s score down in this category.

— Hali Smith July 30, Idaho Statesman, 30 July 2026

Definition of lack

Noun

Getty Images The MLB best home run bets have been in one of the longest droughts of the year, with eight straight whiffs on home run props.

— Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
The wildfire is growing as Washington is in the middle of its fourth consecutive statewide drought, according to the governor’s office.

— Martin Goillandeau, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of drought

Browse Nearby Words

family way

famine

famines

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“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of famine

noun

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