as in shortage
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 deficiency
Iron is an important nutrient for energy and immune function, and iron deficiency can cause fatigue and anemia.
—
Carley Millhone, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Copper deficiencies in soil can lead to plants suffering from stunted growth and yellowing leaves, and being more vulnerable to fungal diseases and pests.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
More children than ever are at risk of being left behind because of undetected and uncorrected vision deficiencies.
—Brian Park, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
He is listed at 6-foot-2 and carries a noticeably slender frame, a physical deficiency that immediately became a target as a defender.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Carley Millhone, Health, 26 Feb. 2026
Copper deficiencies in soil can lead to plants suffering from stunted growth and yellowing leaves, and being more vulnerable to fungal diseases and pests.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 25 Feb. 2026
More children than ever are at risk of being left behind because of undetected and uncorrected vision deficiencies.
—Brian Park, Mercury News, 24 Feb. 2026
He is listed at 6-foot-2 and carries a noticeably slender frame, a physical deficiency that immediately became a target as a defender.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiency
Noun
-
Long lines at gas stations across the capital suggested fears of possible fuel shortages or plans by many to leave the city.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Spellings noted that the United States has a teacher shortage, especially in fields like special education, driven in part by an aging teacher population and high attrition.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Risk factors at any age include obesity, lack of physical activity, a diet high in red or processed meat and low in fruits and vegetables, smoking, heavy alcohol use, having inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colorectal cancer.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Feb. 2026
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For all those reasons, there has been bemusement at Everton in the past over his relative lack of England recognition.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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