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
Another run in the next inning left Nazarene with a 10-1 deficit.
—
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2025
The Pacers launched a mini comeback and cut that to 11 points in the fourth but, with the specter of a 3-0 deficit looming, the Cavs rallied to ultimately take a comfortable win.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Marchand’s goal with 4:33 left in OT won the game, 5-4, over Toronto, halving Florida’s second-round playoff series deficit to 2-1.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
The Knicks erased 20-point deficits in winning Games 1 and 2 against the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 3 set for Saturday in New York.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Mike Waters, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 May 2025
The Pacers launched a mini comeback and cut that to 11 points in the fourth but, with the specter of a 3-0 deficit looming, the Cavs rallied to ultimately take a comfortable win.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
Marchand’s goal with 4:33 left in OT won the game, 5-4, over Toronto, halving Florida’s second-round playoff series deficit to 2-1.
—Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 10 May 2025
The Knicks erased 20-point deficits in winning Games 1 and 2 against the defending champion Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals, with Game 3 set for Saturday in New York.
—Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
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At least five controllers took 45 days of trauma leave after the incident, leading to a staffing shortage that canceled and delayed more than a thousand flights.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN Money,
19 May 2025
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The Philadelphia air traffic control facility that handles flights at Newark is also experiencing a staffing shortage.—
Megan Cerullo,
CBS News,
19 May 2025
Noun
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With Bailey, the Jazz are going to have to do a lot of work, because he’s got serious flaws in his game, namely the lack of ballhandling acumen.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
13 May 2025
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But the lack of GLP-1 receptors in the liver suggests that the drug doesn’t work directly on the organ but instead has an indirect effect by lowering weight and blood sugar levels, said Abdelmalek.—
Cathy Nelson,
Health,
13 May 2025
Noun
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Ultimately, the expedition’s failure likely came down to a combination of factors, including dietary deficiencies, hubris and simple bad luck.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
19 May 2025
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The absence of the 10 men, who also utilized facility deficiencies that officials have long complained about in their escape, went unnoticed for hours.—
Jack Brook,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 24 May. 2025.
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