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 Some also blamed the budget gap on the school board’s decision last year to grant 15 percent pay raises to employees, which county officials had at the time said would significantly increase the district’s deficit spending. Kristen Taketa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 In other words, deficit spending doesn’t boost economic growth as hapless Dems and all-too-many Republicans believe, rather deficits are a consequence of economic growth. John Tamny, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 There is no question that the current deficit spending is not sustainable. Gillian Brassil, Sacramento Bee, 5 Feb. 2024 According to data from the United States Treasury Department, 2023 deficit spending stands at an overwhelming $1.7 trillion. Dan Irvine, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 The bill for the Fed’s lower-for-longer interest-rate strategy and excessive deficit spending is coming due. Mickey D. Levy, WSJ, 25 Oct. 2023 That’s a pleasant way of saying interest rates are rising to combat the inflation driven by excessive deficit spending. Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 That changed in the mid-20th century with the rise of Keynesian economics, which planted the false idea in Congress that deficit spending boosts growth. Chris Edwards, National Review, 18 Dec. 2023 Only twice in history has deficit spending represented such a large percentage of total GDP: during the Great Financial Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. Dan Irvine, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deficit spending.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deficit spending was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near deficit spending

Cite this Entry

“Deficit spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit%20spending. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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