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
Getting backed down by Dončić was only one piece of an embarrassing bloodbath for the Bulls that highlighted every facet of this team’s defensive deficiencies.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Four years later, Watson approached free agency with an eye toward helping address the Rams’ deficiencies.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite the information gaps and deficiencies of existing AI models, the hospitality industry is pressing ahead with the rollout of more smart tools.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
The Rams’ secondary overhaul follows a trip to the NFC Championship Game in which their deficiencies at cornerback were exposed.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
This process identifies nutrient deficiencies, prevents unnecessary expense and reduces the risk of overfertilization.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Address any nutrient deficiencies by applying a slow-release fertilizer according to soil test results.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
The detention center operators would be required to correct any deficiencies identified by inspectors or face a civil penalty up to $25,000 a day for each violation.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Four years later, Watson approached free agency with an eye toward helping address the Rams’ deficiencies.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Despite the information gaps and deficiencies of existing AI models, the hospitality industry is pressing ahead with the rollout of more smart tools.
—Sydney Goh, CNBC, 11 Mar. 2026
The Rams’ secondary overhaul follows a trip to the NFC Championship Game in which their deficiencies at cornerback were exposed.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 9 Mar. 2026
This process identifies nutrient deficiencies, prevents unnecessary expense and reduces the risk of overfertilization.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Address any nutrient deficiencies by applying a slow-release fertilizer according to soil test results.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 7 Mar. 2026
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 6 Mar. 2026
The detention center operators would be required to correct any deficiencies identified by inspectors or face a civil penalty up to $25,000 a day for each violation.
—Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiencies
Noun
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Teacher morale is increasingly important as states continue to struggle with teacher shortages, especially in hard-to-fill jobs like special education, science, technology, math, engineering and bilingual education.—
Diana Lambert,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
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According to Burton, the situation becomes even more complex when educators encounter resource shortages that affect students directly.—
Matthew Kayser,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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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
Noun
-
United’s second-half changes saw several of the squad’s technical inadequacies bubble back to the surface.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Initiative in the upcoming weeks to address health care inadequacies for addicts.—
Joseph Choi,
The Hill,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficiencies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiencies. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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