as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a growing deficit in the number of hours devoted to sleep
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deficit
Commissioner Greene ultimately voted to cover the deficit.
—
Ubah Ali, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Ducks goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Kendrick was the only current school board member to vote against a recent series of budget cuts intended to address a $14 million deficit.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Miami attempted to chip away at the deficit.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Ubah Ali, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
The Leafs overcame a 3-1 deficit with three goals in the third period, including Rielly’s snap shot from the high slot that beat Ducks goalie Ville Husso stick-side to give Toronto a 4-3 lead with three minutes left in regulation.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
Kendrick was the only current school board member to vote against a recent series of budget cuts intended to address a $14 million deficit.
—Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
Miami attempted to chip away at the deficit.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
-
The lack of pay has contributed to high call-out rates at airports across the country, including at Philadelphia International Airport, where staffing shortages have led to longer security lines.—
Eva Andersen,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The war has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertilizer shortages and disrupted air travel.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ultimately, a lack of Democratic support for weakening the filibuster prevented them from passing that legislation, but Republicans were also vehemently opposed and leaned on arguments about protecting states’ rights.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
26 Mar. 2026
-
That played into his lack of worry about Iowa’s turnaround from its Sunday upset of defending national champion and top-seeded Florida, at least from a physical and travel standpoint.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Titone is also concerned about a new audit of OIT that identified serious deficiencies in the state's cybersecurity protocols.—
Shaun Boyd,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
In fact, one study found 84% of postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis had a magnesium deficiency.—
Caroline Tien,
SELF,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
