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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Recent Examples of deficiencies
Fertilize peonies in early spring and fall if growth is poor or soil tests show nutrient deficiencies.
—
Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
In recent years, however, the number of students that needed to take the class exploded—from 32 in 2020 to 665 in 2025—and deficiencies have become so bad that the course had to be redesigned to cover middle school and even elementary level skills.
—Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
They were given 90 days to address the deficiencies or face potential sanctions.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Seven deficiencies, such as mold in the shower area, were taken care of within a few months, so Martinez was tasked with improving the remaining 92 deficiencies, officials said at the time.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Nonetheless, nutrition experts and medical organizations often express concern about fad diets that severely restrict calories or eliminate major food groups, since such approaches may lead to nutrient deficiencies or other health risks if followed for extended periods.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
Some researchers have also voiced concern that a 25 to 30 percent reduction in body weight could compromise some patients’ health, perhaps by leading to nutritional deficiencies or loss of muscle mass.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 June 2026
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
One of his therapists had eventually explained to us that Charley used his ridiculous memory to compensate for his phonetic deficiencies.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 12 June 2026
In recent years, however, the number of students that needed to take the class exploded—from 32 in 2020 to 665 in 2025—and deficiencies have become so bad that the course had to be redesigned to cover middle school and even elementary level skills.
—Adam B. Summers, Oc Register, 11 June 2026
They were given 90 days to address the deficiencies or face potential sanctions.
—Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 10 June 2026
Seven deficiencies, such as mold in the shower area, were taken care of within a few months, so Martinez was tasked with improving the remaining 92 deficiencies, officials said at the time.
—Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 June 2026
Nonetheless, nutrition experts and medical organizations often express concern about fad diets that severely restrict calories or eliminate major food groups, since such approaches may lead to nutrient deficiencies or other health risks if followed for extended periods.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 June 2026
Some researchers have also voiced concern that a 25 to 30 percent reduction in body weight could compromise some patients’ health, perhaps by leading to nutritional deficiencies or loss of muscle mass.
—Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 8 June 2026
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 May 2026
One of his therapists had eventually explained to us that Charley used his ridiculous memory to compensate for his phonetic deficiencies.
—Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
Noun
-
Cuba provides free, universal healthcare, but the system has been pushed to the brink as a result of resource shortages, fuel scarcity and power outages that can last more than 20 hours.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s critical infrastructure have also led to gasoline shortages in some areas and persistent airport delays.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
Noun
-
The artist thought that paintings and drawings have a certain depth that photography on its own lacks.—
Kelsey Ables,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2026
-
What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
This majestic sequence delivers a lifetime’s outpouring of love’s inadequacies and frustrations, of grief and regret, of gratitude along with candid acceptance of loss, and of self-questioning that never shakes the foundations of the family—her ferocious commitment to the children.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 June 2026
-
Epidemiologists and other medical experts told the AP that the suicides in ICE custody — which previously occurred typically once or not at all each year — were cause for alarm and a sign of inadequacies in care, at a minimum.—
Joseph Konig,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficiencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiencies. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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