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
The deficit is recalculated annually based on the shortfall or surplus each month.
—
Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
In recent years, the City Council has held lengthy public discussions on ways to reduce shortfalls while brainstorming ways to increase revenues.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Rising rents and funding decisions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) contributed to the shortfall.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Congress could fund the shortfall from general revenue but that would hardly be prudent
in light of the growing national debt.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
In recent years, the City Council has held lengthy public discussions on ways to reduce shortfalls while brainstorming ways to increase revenues.
—Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
Rising rents and funding decisions by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) contributed to the shortfall.
—Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 30 June 2025
Congress could fund the shortfall from general revenue but that would hardly be prudent
in light of the growing national debt.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 30 June 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 8 Jul. 2025.
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