deficient

adjective

di-ˈfi-shənt How to pronounce deficient (audio)
Definition of deficientnext
1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones

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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

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deficient To help with hair regrowth, Bauman often recommends nutrient-dense meals rich with protein, healthy fat and the trace minerals that, when deficient, can lead to hair loss. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 2 Oct. 2026 Of course, supplementing with vitamin D is especially helpful for those who are deficient. — Nicole Catanese, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026 High base, cuts to public capex for meeting fiscal deficit targets and the impact of deficient rains on sowing patterns are some of the key reasons the brokerage expects India’s growth to slow over the next few quarters. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026 There is nonexistent depth, disastrous allocation of resources and a roster so deficient that the general manager who constructed it has already been dismissed. — Chandler Rome, New York Times, 13 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
  1. incomplete
  2. unacceptable
  3. lacking
  4. wrong
  5. inadequate
  6. poor
  7. insufficient
  8. lame
Adjective
  • Product details can be incomplete or out of date, especially when inventory and promos are turning over by the hour.
    — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 27 Oct. 2026
  • In many ways, the Kar-Jenners have been victims of it, too—which just makes Van Meter’s account feel even more incomplete.
    — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of incomplete
Adjective
  • William James Middle received its fifth unacceptable rating in a row in the 2025-26 school year.
    — Lina Ruiz, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Nov. 2026
  • Not going for it on 4th down, and then settling for a field goal attempt with a 3 point lead is unacceptable!
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of unacceptable
Adjective
  • Illinois already ranks among the states with the highest property taxes in the nation, yet substantive efforts to relieve this burden remain entirely lacking.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The Detroit Free Press and other Michigan- and national-based media organizations have said the claims are misleading or lacking context.
    — Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of lacking
Adjective
  • The first step is to ask the lender to reconsider the value if the appraisal overlooked a recent sale or got the details wrong.
    — Gary Singer, Sun Sentinel, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Schubarth said that statements from prosecutors that he was motivated to create a hybrid ram with giant horns in order to upsell to commercial shooting operations are wrong.
    — Andrew McKean, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of wrong
Adjective
  • Prop 40 includes provisions that would allow qualifying taxpayers with illiquid wealth to defer payments, but Rauh argues those protections are inadequate.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
  • As disability has grown in both numbers and visibility, these baseline requirements have become inadequate, advocates say.
    — Maribeth Romslo, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of inadequate
Adjective
  • Disease that has spread to those organs is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.
    — Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
  • They were frustrated with teacher shortages and poor conditions at schools, including overcrowded classrooms and dilapidated buildings.
    — James Cirrone , Brittany Miller, FOXNews.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of poor
Adjective
  • The Sacramento County district attorney’s office declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2026
  • If your balances aren't declining despite consistent payments and spending reductions, evaluate whether high interest charges, multiple obligations or insufficient cash flow are the underlying obstacles.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of insufficient
Adjective
  • French cities have been shaken in recent weeks by vandalism and looting sparked by cost-of-living demonstrations, amid a broader crisis besieging the country’s lame-duck centrist government that has spiked French bond yields.
    — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Poetry gets left behind by the exigency of character development or, in the movie’s self-defeating logic, because the art form doesn’t really matter and is only a lame excuse for people who won’t take responsibility and grow up.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of lame

Browse Nearby Words

deficiency
deficient
deficiently
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Cite this Entry

“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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