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 Ultimately, underperformance often signals leadership deficiencies, including poor recruitment and inadequate team management, rather than external market forces. — Bill Holmes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 The credits amounted to roughly $405,300 for an array of endeavors to remediate deficiencies on the property. — George Avalos, Mercury News, 21 Aug. 2026 Eating a mixture of protein-rich plant foods can overcome deficiencies in one particular plant food. — Linda M. Boland, The Conversation, 21 Aug. 2026 Defensive deficiencies The Raiders defense had an uninspiring debut in their preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Using powders instead of whole foods may result in nutrient deficiencies. — Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 18 Aug. 2026 If there were concerns about how the trip was reported, the attorneys argued, the district had multiple opportunities to raise them and allow Carvalho to correct any deficiencies but never did. — Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026 Very restrictive diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a lower quality of life. — Lindsey Desoto, HEALTH, 4 Aug. 2026 Violations included sanitation and physical deficiencies, pest control problems, and food stored at improper temperatures. — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
  1. shortages
  2. lacks
  3. inadequacies
Noun
  • Protesters view Fedorov, a proponent of technology and drone warfare, as representing a vital, modern strategy to conserve lives amidst manpower shortages, contrasting with older military approaches.
    — David Kirichenko, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Fuel shortages have returned to some regions of Russia in August, prompting local authorities in at least 10 regions to again tighten controls on sales of motor fuel at fuel stations, according to authorities and regional media.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of shortages
Noun
  • Long used in commercial kitchens for sinks and countertops, steel sinks contain chromium that provides corrosion-resistance and nickel that adds the brightness pure steel lacks.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 19 July 2026
  • 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
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 23 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deficiencies

Nglish: Translation of deficiencies for Spanish Speakers

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