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
In the short term, Chandler said, that could indeed benefit customers, since the supply deficit is real.
—
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The plan assumed that financing would be created to pay for the public infrastructure deficit.
—Nico Calavita, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
The structural deficit has been with us ever since, totaling $125 billion so far, as Petek describes.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet under this administration, deficits persist, shortfalls continue, the state’s credit outlook has weakened and costs are increasingly passed down to families through higher taxes and fees.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026
The plan assumed that financing would be created to pay for the public infrastructure deficit.
—Nico Calavita, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Feb. 2026
The structural deficit has been with us ever since, totaling $125 billion so far, as Petek describes.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026
Yet under this administration, deficits persist, shortfalls continue, the state’s credit outlook has weakened and costs are increasingly passed down to families through higher taxes and fees.
—J.b. Jennings, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
-
Several cultural events, including a book fair, have been postponed in Cuba this month as the island grapples with the most severe fuel shortages and power blackouts in years.—
Andrea Rodriguez,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2026
-
However, power outages and staff shortages also might be at play.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
From an outside lens, Norway’s lack of hockey success doesn’t make much sense, especially considering its status in other winter sports.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Visits to the shrine are seen by Japan's neighbors as evidence of a lack of remorse for Japan's wartime past.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No vitamin D deficiency around here.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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High-impact sports can also destroy red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency anemia, while some athletes might also lose blood through their gastrointestinal tract, Hew-Butler says.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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