as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a growing deficit in the number of hours devoted to sleep
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Recent Examples of deficit
The budget proposal relies on a tax windfall, largely attributed to the stock market success of artificial intelligence companies, to erase California’s deficit — but some analysts have warned that the AI bubble could burst.
—
Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
But these Knicks have consistently shown their ability to come back no matter the deficit.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
New York has trailed all game, but that deficit is just 40-38 with 8 minutes to play before halftime after an 8-0 run in just the last 60 seconds.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Vegas rallied from such a deficit in Game 1 and Carolina did it in Game 2.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026
But these Knicks have consistently shown their ability to come back no matter the deficit.
—Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 9 June 2026
New York has trailed all game, but that deficit is just 40-38 with 8 minutes to play before halftime after an 8-0 run in just the last 60 seconds.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 9 June 2026
Vegas rallied from such a deficit in Game 1 and Carolina did it in Game 2.
—ABC News, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
-
Tony & Tara Eiguren The great potato capital has no shortage of great Basque food either, thanks to a hearty diaspora and community members like Tony and Tara Eiguren.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
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Beyond the direct threat posed by drones, Russians are facing growing fuel shortages as Ukraine’s strikes on oil refineries limit supply.—
Zahra Ullah,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Silva said the single most alarming aspect of the report was the lack of information available to emergency responders.—
Ivan Taylor,
CBS News,
11 June 2026
-
The Mexican team’s lack of elite club experience, however, is obvious and could be a problem.—
Eduard Cauich,
Los Angeles Times,
11 June 2026
Noun
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From a defensive standpoint, each element would be a plus-defender with the exception of Powell, which should make this lineup much easier to mask the deficiencies of a negative-defender, such as the ones with Herro.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
-
Research suggests that some nutrient deficiencies are more common in people with diabetes.—
Brianna Tobritzhofer,
Health,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
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