shortfall

noun

short·fall | \ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl

Definition of shortfall

: 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 bigger point is that none of these models adequately account for investment shortfalls, lagging productivity, and a range of other factors that influence Italy’s overall economic health—and determine revenues and the fiscal balance. — Marcello Minenna, WSJ, "Behind the Brussels-Rome Dispute," 23 Oct. 2018 Setting up benchmarks, effectively communicating about progress and any shortfalls, holding all stakeholders accountable, and adjusting plans to adapt to any changing conditions keeps projects moving efficiently forward. — The Seattle Times, "Northwest leans on good project management for success," 21 Aug. 2018 The Washington Post reported last year that the state suffered from budget shortfalls, and the majority of the tax burden rested with the poor. — Sarah Mearhoff, Teen Vogue, "Donald Trump's Tax Cuts Are Reducing Corporate Taxes and Increasing the Deficit," 26 July 2018 The city has built in guarantees so that if the new development doesn't yield all the new taxes expected, Cobalt Partners would have to make up the shortfall, Stibal said. — Jane Ford-stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Pared-down 70th Street corridor plan in West Allis expected to take major step," 25 June 2018 Dunn, head of the local that represents nearly 13,000 hourly workers at both Louisville area Ford plants, said that they've been told that the goal is to push hard to make up for the shortfall. — Grace Schneider, The Courier-Journal, "Louisville Ford workers on overdrive to make up for drop in pickups," 6 June 2018 The fund has had to borrow from American taxpayers to make up the shortfall. — Elizabeth Cohen, CNN, "CNN obtains report showing fund for coal miners with black lung is in trouble," 4 June 2018 Zion has had to raise property taxes dramatically to make up for the shortfall, Knabel said. — Frank Abderholden, Lake County News-Sun, "Zion's effort to shed lakefront nuclear waste backed by U.S. House vote," 10 May 2018 Castner more than makes up for those shortfalls with excellent research and descriptions and surprising endurance as an explorer himself. — Porter Fox, Outside Online, "The Best New Books About Epic Expeditions," 19 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shortfall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.