Synonyms of deficit

deficit

noun

ˈde-fə-sət 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency
• drought
• poverty
• scarcity
• famine
• insufficiency
• inadequacy
• absence
• paucity
• crunch
• lacuna
• undersupply
• failure
• inadequateness
• pinch
• dearth
• scantiness
• omission
• scarceness
• want
• necessity
• meagerness
• privation
• skimpiness
• need
• poorness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amplitude
• adequacy
• wealth
• abundance
• sufficiency
• plenty
• opulence
• surplus
• plenitude
• excess
• oversupply
• overabundance
• surfeit
• copiousness
• bountifulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deficit

Most see little change coming to individual or corporate taxes as a result of the election, but 41% expect higher deficits. — Steve Liesman, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

The Jets got their offense going and made the game tight after their 21-7 halftime deficit. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 27 Oct. 2026

After suffering a loss to Oklahoma State, the Ducks were already working at a deficit in the eyes of CFP committee members, not being able to afford two more losses. — Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

During his third term, Brazil’s budget deficit expanded to more than 8% of GDP as government spending soared and overall growth cooled, driving surging debt levels. — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026