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 This initiative aims to identify and voluntarily treat testosterone deficiencies, which naturally occur as levels decline after age 30. — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026 Princess Itaweret’s skeleton showed healed fractures to both her ribs and foot, while multiple individuals displayed nutritional deficiencies and infections. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 17 July 2026 News reporting about the new plane’s security deficiencies angered the president and triggered a sprawling leak investigation. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 16 July 2026 Herro and Adebayo came together in the wake of social-media posts from Herro questioning Adebayo’s stature as a Heat leading man, in light of what Herro questioned in those posts as Adebayo’s offensive deficiencies. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 16 July 2026 Use fertilizer numbers to select products based on plant needs, soil deficiencies, or growth stages. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 July 2026 Addressing deficiencies in information security should also be a priority. — Editorial, Boston Herald, 16 July 2026 The Texas Commission on Jail Standards found zero deficiencies in its earlier review of the Tarrant County Jail, but four deaths occurred in the 11 days following the June 9 commissioners court meeting. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
  1. shortages
  2. lacks
  3. inadequacies
Noun
  • However, any additional precipitation will not offset the long-term factors driving water shortages like prolonged drought conditions and historically low seasonal snowpack, according to experts.
    — Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 13 July 2026
  • That’s not only because of the possibilities to work with customers on development or respond quickly to quality issues, but also in light of the pandemic-era chip shortages that roiled the auto industry.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 13 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 20 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on deficiencies

Nglish: Translation of deficiencies for Spanish Speakers

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