shortfall
noun
short·fall
ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl 
: a failure to come up to expectation or need
a budget shortfall
also
: the amount of such failure
a $2 million shortfall
Examples of shortfall in a Sentence
a shortfall in milk production
Recent Examples on the Web
Beyond helping San Diego close a budget shortfall, Elo-Rivera maintained the taxes on second homes and short-term rentals would relieve pressure on the city’s housing shortage.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Officials said the adjustments will prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million for the state.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The notion that Social Security faces a shortfall suffuses the national conversation about preparing for retirement.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026
Snow shortfalls reached record territory across the mountains as drought in the Colorado River basin has only intensified.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
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Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Mar. 2026
Officials said the adjustments will prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million for the state.
—Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
The notion that Social Security faces a shortfall suffuses the national conversation about preparing for retirement.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 28 Feb. 2026
Snow shortfalls reached record territory across the mountains as drought in the Colorado River basin has only intensified.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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