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
The Jazz decided to move early on acquiring a star player under contract for significant years who also fills a defensive deficiency.
—
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The East-leading Detroit Pistons added Kevin Huerter on Tuesday to address a shooting deficiency, while the Boston Celtics acquired veteran center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls for a package that included guard Anfernee Simons.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
According to a public report on the death of Sy'vir Hill, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services found no deficiencies and no recommendations for change.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
For now though, the BSCC is giving the county until March to produce three different Corrective Action Plans to address the deficiencies found at Nidorf’s Juvenile Hall, the Secure Youth Treatment Facility and Kilpatrick.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The East-leading Detroit Pistons added Kevin Huerter on Tuesday to address a shooting deficiency, while the Boston Celtics acquired veteran center Nikola Vucevic from the Chicago Bulls for a package that included guard Anfernee Simons.
—Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 3 Feb. 2026
According to a public report on the death of Sy'vir Hill, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services found no deficiencies and no recommendations for change.
—Liz Crawford, CBS News, 3 Feb. 2026
For now though, the BSCC is giving the county until March to produce three different Corrective Action Plans to address the deficiencies found at Nidorf’s Juvenile Hall, the Secure Youth Treatment Facility and Kilpatrick.
—Jason Henry, Daily News, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiency
Noun
-
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Several others were wounded and taken for treatment in Rahad, which faces severe medical supplies shortages like many areas in the Kordofan region, the statement said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
There has been a lack of clarity about how long Putin had promised to observe a pause on power grid attacks.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Cuban officials have said existing US economic sanctions are largely to blame for the country’s ailing energy sector, although critics also fault a lack of government investment in infrastructure.—
Bianna Golodryga,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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