deficiencies

noun

plural of deficiency
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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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 deficiencies People take iron orally or intravenously to address nutritional deficiencies, as Johnson did, and get monitored for stomach cancers. — Sarah Todd, STAT, 8 July 2026 Sleep difficulties can sometimes be linked to underlying medical conditions, nutrient deficiencies, medications, or hormonal changes that require proper evaluation and treatment by a qualified healthcare professional. — Jillian Kubala, Health, 7 July 2026 Those procedural deficiencies meant that Barnett’s second term was never lawfully approved, Persad-Bissessar said. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026 In 2025, 40% of nursing homes in Colorado had severe deficiencies, defined as problems that can threaten residents’ lives, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services data. — Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 5 July 2026 The Lakers spent the first days of free agency addressing their shooting deficiencies. — Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2026 It can be caused by pests, high temperatures, and mineral deficiencies or excess. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 3 July 2026 Because whatever deficiencies this squad might have, it’s backed by a massive, raucous army. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 2 July 2026 Robinson’s value is complicated, as the elite rim protector and offensive rebounder has a history of ankle surgeries, and he’s been played off of the court in the postseason due to his free-throw-shooting deficiencies. — Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 29 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
  1. shortages
  2. lacks
  3. inadequacies
Noun
  • Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Europe’s defense industry remains fragmented and constrained by supply chains, bureaucracy, labor shortages and years of underinvestment.
    — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • Citing Cuban government figures, the United Nations reported that around 100,000 patients are waiting for surgeries on the island due to the electricity cuts and shortages of medical supplies and drugs.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of shortages
Noun
  • The Anaheim Ducks, at least, had a lot of pace and tempo to help make up for what Carlson’s skating lacks at this point in his career.
    — Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 2 July 2026
  • Nothing beats a big package or a pipe to compensate for decorations, makeup, and other lacks.
    — Joyce Mansour, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of lacks
Noun
  • The Canadian catastrophe highlighted the inadequacies of the current system of supply and the lack of American credit.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
  • Connecting the Orioles’ fielding inadequacies in the majors directly to their lack of attention to defense in the minors would be a stretch; Rutschman, Henderson and Cowser all came up through their system.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 18 June 2026
Definition of inadequacies

Browse Nearby Words

defiant
deficiencies
deficiency
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Cite this Entry

“Deficiencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiencies. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deficiencies

Nglish: Translation of deficiencies for Spanish Speakers

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