deficit spending

noun

: the spending of public funds raised by borrowing rather than by taxation

Examples of deficit spending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Biggs amendment would have permanently stopped deficit spending by limiting federal expenditures to the average annual revenue collected over the previous three years. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026

The two fiscal conservatives were the only House Republicans to initially vote against the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last summer over concerns about deficit spending. —Sophie Brams, The Hill, 26 Feb. 2026

Success means balanced budgets that protect essential services without gimmicks or deficit spending, and a county hospital that is strong, accessible, and financially secure. —Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026

Policy choices like deficit spending and higher tariffs threaten to boost inflation, putting the Fed in a bind. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deficit spending

• superintending
• uncomprehending
• amending
• appending
• ascending
• attending
• befriending
• commending
• contending
• defending
• depending
• descending