1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in unacceptable
falling short of a standard
woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in lacking
not coming up to an expected measure or meeting a particular need
too deficient in common sense to be trusted to stay by himself
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deficient
At least 1,235 miles of the city’s sidewalks, or about 40%, are considered deficient.
—
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The action followed a series of federal inspections that found multiple problems, including unsafe and structurally deficient buildings.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Miami’s edge rushers also have been deficient against the run this season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 15 Oct. 2025
The action followed a series of federal inspections that found multiple problems, including unsafe and structurally deficient buildings.
—Jim Edwards, Fortune, 14 Oct. 2025
Will his shooting and floater game give enough offensive jolt to add some real spacing around a roster that, even with Kevin Durant, seems notably deficient in terms of spacing?
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Miami’s edge rushers also have been deficient against the run this season.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
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But Jalon Daniels’ Hail Mary pass from KU’s 47 on the final play of the game fell incomplete.—
Gary Bedore,
Kansas City Star,
9 Nov. 2025
-
The officials were fooled, ruling it incomplete.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
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Hufanga deemed that first-quarter Jeanty touchdown unacceptable because any touchdown is unacceptable at this point to Denver’s defense.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But Wild coach John Hynes noted in training camp that Jiricek’s decision making in the heat of the battle in the defensive zone is sometimes lacking.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
27 Oct. 2025
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And the flick, based on Hoover’s bestselling novel, lays it on thick alongside a lacking narrative and cringey dialogue.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As analysis, that’s not wrong, but where’s the sting of it inside this bizarre bonbon of a musical?—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Nov. 2025
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Despite his brilliance and intellect, he was prevented from having a full life by being born on the wrong side of Israel’s separation fence.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Eventually, inadequate nutrition promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and body.—
Brigid Dwyer,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
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Investing in the right set of tires can save you from having to frequently patch or replace inadequate tires.—
Charles Singh,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Ministry of Environment blamed this year’s surge on a poor acorn harvest – which drove a similar spate of attacks in 2023.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Rather, the slow start (by Ovechkin’s standards) to this season seemed due more to poor puck luck.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The decision followed a monthslong investigation by the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office that concluded there was insufficient evidence to support criminal charges.—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
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Yet most national climate targets remain outdated and insufficient.—
Natalie Unterstell,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The flowers are the best, even if the leaves are lame and flop over.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
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Cut to Culhane doing lame bits with chopsticks as walrus teeth.—
Gil Kaufman,
Billboard,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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