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
Yet the Iranians also overcame two deficits in an exciting match, getting the tying goal from Mohammad Mohebi in the 64th minute before a strongly pro-Iranian crowd at SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, which has the world’s largest population of Iranians outside of Iran.
—
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
At the same time, mine production has struggled to keep pace with demand, contributing to recurring supply deficits in the global silver market.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Game 4 featured the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, as the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit and beat the Spurs 107-106 at the Garden.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Another was how Victor Wembanyama and the young San Antonio Spurs might handle a precarious 3-1 deficit.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
At the same time, mine production has struggled to keep pace with demand, contributing to recurring supply deficits in the global silver market.
—Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 June 2026
Game 4 featured the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, as the Knicks erased a 29-point deficit and beat the Spurs 107-106 at the Garden.
—Jesse Zanger, CBS News, 16 June 2026
Another was how Victor Wembanyama and the young San Antonio Spurs might handle a precarious 3-1 deficit.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficit
Noun
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The resulting labor shortage is driving up wages, another source of inflation in the country.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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The war displaced most of the Palestinian population of more than 2 million, left large parts of the territory in rubble and created widespread shortages of food, medicine and other basic supplies asGaza’s border crossings — all but one controlled by Israel — were shut.—
Wafaa Shurafa,
Los Angeles Times,
14 June 2026
Noun
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Detainees at the facility have reported a lack of access to lawyers and poor physical conditions, including worms in the food, toilets that do not flush, floors flooding with fecal waste and insects everywhere.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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In today’s food environment, addiction to UPFs should not be written off as a lack of personal willpower, said Forman, who researches ultraprocessed food addiction.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Noun
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Swollen hands or feet can indicate severe protein deficiency.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
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Fertilize peonies in early spring and fall if growth is poor or soil tests show nutrient deficiencies.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficit. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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