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
Now, after Oklahoma came back from a six-run deficit, the specter of 20 years with no super regionals will loom them for the deciding game on Monday afternoon.
—
Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 1 June 2026
On deficits, Bessent told reporters at the White House that the administration was essentially dealt a bad hand from former President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
The outburst completely erased the five-run deficit and gave KU a 6-5 lead.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Growing federal deficits will likely drive up the state’s borrowing costs.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Michael Cunningham, AJC.com, 1 June 2026
On deficits, Bessent told reporters at the White House that the administration was essentially dealt a bad hand from former President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
The outburst completely erased the five-run deficit and gave KU a 6-5 lead.
—Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 1 June 2026
Growing federal deficits will likely drive up the state’s borrowing costs.
—Mercury News & East Bay Times Editorial Boards, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
-
Despite more than $100 million in federal investment, the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority continues to struggle with aging generators, equipment shortages and years of deferred maintenance.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2026
-
In a time of a workforce shortage, Mainstay is not replacing people with tech.—
Megan Shinn,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
But despite this, experts say the lack of AI play is not the main reason why global investors are exiting India.—
Priyanka Salve,
CNBC,
4 June 2026
-
This area is the best of the best—in part because of the wildlife sightings but also because of the lack of vehicles (the land is exclusively crossed by guests of Singita Lebombo and Singita Sweni).—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
Noun
-
Aguillard said news reporting in 2024 on serious structural deficiencies inside Sleetmute’s K-12 Jack Egnaty Sr.—
Emily Schwing,
ProPublica,
29 May 2026
-
Higher amounts may be used temporarily under medical guidance when correcting a deficiency.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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