Synonyms of deficient

deficient

adjective

di-ˈfi-shənt 

1

as in incomplete

lacking some necessary part

a diet deficient in calcium can lead to weak bones

Synonyms & Similar Words

• incomplete
• partial
• flawed
• half
• unfinished
• fragmentary
• damaged
• fragmental
• imperfect
• halfway
• impaired
• injured
• spoiled
• broken
• sketchy
• uncompleted
• marred
• unassembled

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• complete
• perfect
• whole
• integral
• entire
• full
• intact
• unimpaired
• flawless
• undamaged
• unbroken
• uninjured
• finished
• unmarred
• completed

2

as in unacceptable

falling short of a standard

woefully deficient eyesight kept him out of military service

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unacceptable
• wrong
• poor
• lame
• bad
• flawed
• lacking
• unsatisfactory
• inferior
• terrible
• pathetic
• awful
• horrible
• substandard
• disastrous
• inadequate
• suboptimal
• defective
• subpar
• wretched
• brutal
• insufficient
• bastard
• ill
• dreadful
• crummy
• sour
• from hunger
• lousy
• wanting
• dissatisfactory
• paltry
• off
• bush
• useless
• wack
• rotten
• faulty
• below par
• punk
• worthless
• short
• gross
• miserable
• bush-league
• lesser
• abysmal
• deplorable
• atrocious
• detestable
• damnable
• common
• egregious
• shoddy
• unspeakable
• mediocre
• vile
• stinky
• horrendous
• execrable
• abominable
• flagrant
• valueless
• low-grade
• scanty
• gnarly
• reprehensible
• odious
• crappy
• meager
• sucky
• second-rate
• coarse
• bitchin'
• skimpy
• bum
• low-rent
• miserly
• trashy
• shabby
• cheesy
• stingy
• rubbishy
• sleazy
• junky
• mean
• spare
• villainous
• scurrilous
• counterfeit
• sham
• fake
• phony
• cut-rate
• skimp
• miscreant

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• satisfactory
• acceptable
• standard
• fine
• decent
• tolerable
• all right
• passable
• superior
• sufficient
• respectable
• OK
• excellent
• classical
• better
• great
• perfect
• divine
• classic
• splendid
• prime
• special
• superb
• wonderful
• superlative
• noble
• par excellence
• mean
• terrific
• marvelous
• top
• stellar
• first-class
• neat
• heavenly
• exceptional
• premium
• keen
• sensational
• average
• grand
• fabulous
• unsurpassed
• choice
• dandy
• capital
• swell
• slick
• sterling
• minimal
• fancy
• suitable
• useful
• high-grade
• borderline
• nifty
• A1
• mediocre
• banner
• worthy
• fair
• first-rate
• boss
• middling
• top-notch
• high-test
• supernal
• groovy
• crackerjack
• tip-top
• bang-up
• unexceptional
• satisfying
• gratifying
• jim-dandy
• so-so

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

• lacking
• inadequate
• insufficient
• scarce
• low
• short
• wanting
• shy
• unacceptable
• unsatisfactory
• substandard
• sparse
• poor
• scanty
• meager
• skimpy
• lean
• scant
• stingy
• mere
• slender
• light
• minimum
• small
• spare
• slim
• bare
• skimp
• hand-to-mouth
• slight

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• adequate
• sufficient
• enough
• abundant
• ample
• plentiful
• generous
• liberal
• copious
• bountiful
• enlarged
• bounteous
• plenteous
• satisfactory
• supplemented
• expanded
• overflowing
• tolerable
• rich
• large
• plenitudinous
• considerable
• substantial
• lavish
• super
• teeming
• luxuriant
• sizable
• abounding
• big
• oversize
• hefty
• jumbo
• largish
• king-size

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deficient

Despite the copious downpour that led to flooding across many parts of the country in the past few weeks, India still faces the prospect of a deficient monsoon this year. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2026

The bottom line for now is that oysters carry compounds with real biological plausibility for supporting testosterone production, particularly in people who are zinc-deficient. — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

That narrative, a history-deficient account, often failed to explain how one of the wealthiest colonies in the Caribbean was made poor. — Literary Hub, 27 July 2026

While long-term goals include influencing insurance and investment, their immediate value is assisting understaffed teams manage critical backlogs, such as the 42,404 structurally deficient bridges. — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026