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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deficit
The Marlins cut the deficit in half in the fourth inning when Dodgers shortstop Hyeseong Kim committed an error on a ground ball from Javier Sanoja that allowed Otto Lopez to score.
—
Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Last year’s deficit-to-GDP was roughly 6%, growing about three times faster than the economy itself.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Such symptoms often impair a patient’s quality of life as much as, or even more than, the primary neurological deficits.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The 2023 Celtics were the last team to even a series after a three-game deficit.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Last year’s deficit-to-GDP was roughly 6%, growing about three times faster than the economy itself.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Such symptoms often impair a patient’s quality of life as much as, or even more than, the primary neurological deficits.
—Eric J. Nestler, STAT, 28 Apr. 2026
The 2023 Celtics were the last team to even a series after a three-game deficit.
—Los Angeles Times, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
-
Right now, there’s no shortage of competition.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
4 May 2026
-
The shortage is particularly acute in the Philippines, which has declared a national state of energy emergency and risks running out of fuel.—
Stephanie Yang,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
Staff and managers complained about the lack of specifics, as did legal-services providers and advocacy groups.—
E. Tammy Kim,
New Yorker,
7 May 2026
-
Pratt took aim at Bass over the lack of water available during the inferno, with fire hydrants running dry.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
Noun
-
Common vitamin D deficiency symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, bone pain, frequent illness and low mood.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Correcting a deficiency is one of the lowest-effort, highest-return moves in everyday health optimization — and the research behind it keeps getting more compelling.—
Allison Palmer,
Sacbee.com,
30 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 9 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
