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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of deficit
The city implemented its program in 1997 amid a broader underfunding of the pension system, which eventually tanked the city’s credit rating, grew its deficit and led to resignations of top city officials and federal investigations.
—
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Musk, who earlier this year was among Trump’s top advisors, had a heated public feud with the president last month over Musk’s concerns that Trump’s sweeping tax cuts and spending bill would add to the federal deficit.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025
Tasked with keeping the Chicago Cubs’ deficit at two in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins, Hodge was hammered for six runs on five hits, including three home runs, in one-third inning.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Here's Why The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits over the next 10 years, but Republicans and the White House dispute the figures.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 July 2025
Musk, who earlier this year was among Trump’s top advisors, had a heated public feud with the president last month over Musk’s concerns that Trump’s sweeping tax cuts and spending bill would add to the federal deficit.
—Lawrence Andrea, jsonline.com, 10 July 2025
Tasked with keeping the Chicago Cubs’ deficit at two in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins, Hodge was hammered for six runs on five hits, including three home runs, in one-third inning.
—Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
Here's Why The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill would add $3.4 trillion to federal deficits over the next 10 years, but Republicans and the White House dispute the figures.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
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Meanwhile, Californians feel the effects of the shortage of at least 3 million homes in their pocketbooks.—
Laura Friedman,
Oc Register,
7 July 2025
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Raising a dam also raises the risk of downstream water shortages, ecological disruption, and international tension.—
Joe Salas
July 06,
New Atlas,
6 July 2025
Noun
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As a result, the carbon dioxide isn't replenished and, along with other mechanisms like the solar winds and the lack of magnetic field, the result was a feedback process that bled off more and more of the atmosphere as more and more of the carbon dioxide was sealed in the minerals.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
12 July 2025
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President Donald Trump toured the flood site Friday, while officials faced mounting criticism over the lack of emergency warnings about quickly rising waters that killed at least 120 people, including over two dozen at an all-girls summer camp.—
Grace Miserocchi,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Noun
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If the deficiency is prolonged, the plant may stop flowering and fruiting altogether.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 July 2025
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While a force at the plate, Domínguez wasn’t perfect on Friday, as his defensive deficiencies resurfaced in the bottom of the first.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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