as in shortages
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there is a deficiency of fresh food in the diet of many of the working poor
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deficiencies
Why are women more susceptible to vitamin D deficiencies?
—
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
In a study, Microsoft scientists sought to overcome those deficiencies by using femtosecond lasers, which fire high-power laser pulses just quadrillionths of a second long.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
Aston Villa have long relied on Unai Emery’s managerial acumen to mask deficiencies.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Common causes for both include stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Those facilities could be ordered to close, too, if the deficiencies identified aren’t addressed within the next few months.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
According to a public report on the death of Sy'vir Hill, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services found no deficiencies and no recommendations for change.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
It’s usually caused by a metabolic change in your body, either from hormones, nutritional deficiencies, high levels of stress, or medication.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
People often turn to vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements to help address nutrient deficiencies.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 20 Feb. 2026
In a study, Microsoft scientists sought to overcome those deficiencies by using femtosecond lasers, which fire high-power laser pulses just quadrillionths of a second long.
—IEEE Spectrum, 18 Feb. 2026
Aston Villa have long relied on Unai Emery’s managerial acumen to mask deficiencies.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Common causes for both include stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Those facilities could be ordered to close, too, if the deficiencies identified aren’t addressed within the next few months.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 8 Feb. 2026
According to a public report on the death of Sy'vir Hill, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services found no deficiencies and no recommendations for change.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
It’s usually caused by a metabolic change in your body, either from hormones, nutritional deficiencies, high levels of stress, or medication.
—wendy Wisner, Parents, 29 Jan. 2026
People often turn to vitamins, minerals, herbs and other dietary supplements to help address nutrient deficiencies.
—Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
Noun
-
Climate scientists have been calling attention to the snowpack shortages in nearly every region of the West this year.—
Doha Madani,
NBC news,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Her goal is primary care, one of the specialties facing the most severe shortages nationwide.—
Nancy Badertscher,
AJC.com,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Economic theory would suggest that the best place to make a major investment such as a STAR bond would be in a place that has low, or lacks, economic activity.—
Sofi Zeman
January 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Re-tooled with new signings, the defensive inadequacies and erratic finishing that had held the club back during his first campaign were eradicated.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Most moving is Packer’s evocation of the choice’s effect on Eliot, who is forced to confront his inadequacies—both real and perceived—as a caregiver and a husband.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficiencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiencies. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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