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
Complicating the state’s budget process is an anticipated shortfall in the coming year.
—
Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
San Diego’s city and county governments continue to face budget shortfalls that have been years in the making.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
But funding shortfalls, bureaucratic hurdles and the Covid-19 pandemic all contributed, too.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The analyst said that past concerns about the company’s drift in strategy as well as a guidance shortfall earlier in the year helped derate the stock.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
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Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Jan. 2026
San Diego’s city and county governments continue to face budget shortfalls that have been years in the making.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Jan. 2026
But funding shortfalls, bureaucratic hurdles and the Covid-19 pandemic all contributed, too.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 1 Jan. 2026
The analyst said that past concerns about the company’s drift in strategy as well as a guidance shortfall earlier in the year helped derate the stock.
—Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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