1
as in incomplete
lacking some necessary part
a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
However, people with iron-deficient anemia will need a higher dose, as directed by their physician.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Two other times, it was cited for providing deficient emergency care in violation of other rules, according to federal regulators.
—ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
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
However, people with iron-deficient anemia will need a higher dose, as directed by their physician.
—Kristine Thomason, Vogue, 24 Sep. 2025
Two other times, it was cited for providing deficient emergency care in violation of other rules, according to federal regulators.
—ProPublica, 22 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
-
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
-
Not making payments to them for even another day is simply unacceptable.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
7 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
While most plot details remain under wraps, The Hollywood Reporter previously revealed that one plot point centers on the son of Stiller and Polo’s characters, who gets engaged to a ball-busting woman who seems all wrong for him.—
Carly Thomas,
HollywoodReporter,
2 Nov. 2025
-
The right kiss will save them, but the wrong one will kill them.—
Brittany Johnson,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Eventually, inadequate nutrition promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in the brain and body.—
Brigid Dwyer,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
-
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
-
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
-
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
-
There was insufficient hot water at the hand sink and three-compartment sink, and the inspector found mouse and rat droppings in the kitchen and pantry.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
-
Prosecutors who recently left the job cited high workload due to low staffing levels, insufficient pay and a lack of experienced staff to train and mentor colleagues as reasons for leaving, said county officials, citing exit interview responses.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The flowers are the best, even if the leaves are lame and flop over.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
25 Oct. 2025
-
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 9 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share