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
Plaintiffs also cast doubt on Circle K’s assertion that Angeles was uniquely qualified to be West Coast regional director with evidence of deficiencies in Angeles’s past performance.
—
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
Interim coach Mike McCoy — elevated from senior offensive assistant — inherits a team that does have talent in spots but plenty of deficiencies.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
These nutrient deficiencies can worsen the condition.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 19 Oct. 2025
One of the produce area handwash sinks had the same deficiency.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Dan Eaton, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2025
Interim coach Mike McCoy — elevated from senior offensive assistant — inherits a team that does have talent in spots but plenty of deficiencies.
—Mike Jones, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
These nutrient deficiencies can worsen the condition.
—Merve Ceylan, Health, 19 Oct. 2025
One of the produce area handwash sinks had the same deficiency.
—David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficiency
Noun
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In addition to new tariffs and broader grocery inflation, experts say a global cocoa shortage tied to poor harvests and climate shifts in West Africa has sent cocoa prices soaring.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
29 Oct. 2025
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His theory is that while the opportunity in the digital space is booming, there is an industry shortage of skilled talent to capitalize.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But the lack of a concrete, overarching deal is still a problem.—
Kerry Brown,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
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Fiery press conferences, frustration over a lack of signings, and a glum touchline demeanour paint a worrying picture.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficiency. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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