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
This is one of the most talent-deficient groups in the NFL, thanks largely to injuries to the season-ending injury to slot Kader Kohou (knee) and the departures of last year’s starters, Jalen Ramsey (trade) and Kendall Fuller (released in February).
—
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Those who are iron deficient, pregnant, breastfeeding, allergic to mint and/or who are taking certain medications such as ones that slow blood clotting or medications for diabetes should avoid it, unless their healthcare provider suggests otherwise, Davis recommends.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Researchers recommend listing the new species as data deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List until more field surveys can determine its threatened status.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
This includes nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates, countries with deficient screening and vetting, and those that offer citizenship-by-investment programs, particularly where citizenship is granted without a residency requirement.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 21 Aug. 2025
Those who are iron deficient, pregnant, breastfeeding, allergic to mint and/or who are taking certain medications such as ones that slow blood clotting or medications for diabetes should avoid it, unless their healthcare provider suggests otherwise, Davis recommends.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
Researchers recommend listing the new species as data deficient on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List until more field surveys can determine its threatened status.
—Lauren Liebhaber, Miami Herald, 13 Aug. 2025
This includes nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates, countries with deficient screening and vetting, and those that offer citizenship-by-investment programs, particularly where citizenship is granted without a residency requirement.
—Jesus Mesa
gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficient
Adjective
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The Hawaiian specimen was about 4 feet tall, while an incomplete measurement of the coral found near the Mariana Trench was about 20 inches long, according to Watling and the study.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
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Those who believe the Shroud to be authentic, however, argued that the 3D-modeling study was incomplete.—
Taylor Nicioli,
CNN Money,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Unwavering loyalty Schrandt told ABC News that any deportations to Afghanistan are an unacceptable outcome.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
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Cosmetics are not the only place that regulators assessed an unacceptable level of risk.—
Keyaira Boone,
Essence,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That is not to say that his coverage abilities are in any way lacking, but the Jaguars might see more value in Hunter catching passes to start.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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It can be used to crudely express boredom, annoyance or to signal that something is self-indulgent or lacking purpose.—
Sofi Zeman
August 8,
Kansas City Star,
8 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Parasite The first non-English language film to win a Best Picture Oscar, Bong Joon-ho's Parasite centers on the Kims, who live on the wrong side of the tracks in Seoul, South Korea.—
Emy LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Joveljic stepped up and placed the penalty kick into his right-hand corner, while goalkeeper Brad Stuver dove the wrong way.—
Daniel Sperry,
Kansas City Star,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The report also stated that safety protocols in place were inadequate.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
7 Sep. 2025
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The United Kingdom even suspended publication of an official unemployment rate because of inadequate responses.—
Paul Wiseman,
Fortune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But prorating three years of player profits down to 12 months, as UEFA’s rule does, reduces the immediate efficacy of successful trading in the market, the very strategy that poorer clubs increasingly rely on to climb the ladder.—
Chris Weatherspoon,
New York Times,
5 Sep. 2025
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Like most extended car warranty providers, CarShield excludes pre-existing conditions that existed before your warranty took effect, as well as damage resulting from poor maintenance, neglect or intentional abuse.—
Brian Sloan,
CNBC,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The concern is that whatever AI safeguards might have been put in place are insufficient and are allowing people to incur mental harm while using generative AI.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
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On both points, Kennedy argued that the publicly available data was insufficient.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Shootouts are lame in comparison.—
Chris Branch,
New York Times,
19 Aug. 2025
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On the other hand, Powell probably has little incentive to commit firmly given high lame-duck status and the fact that more employment and inflation numbers will hit before the September meeting.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficient. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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