Synonyms of deficit

deficit

noun

ˈde-fə-sət 

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

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency
• drought
• poverty
• scarcity
• famine
• insufficiency
• inadequacy
• absence
• paucity
• crunch
• lacuna
• undersupply
• failure
• inadequateness
• pinch
• dearth
• scantiness
• omission
• scarceness
• want
• necessity
• meagerness
• privation
• skimpiness
• need
• poorness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• amplitude
• adequacy
• wealth
• abundance
• sufficiency
• plenty
• opulence
• surplus
• plenitude
• excess
• oversupply
• overabundance
• surfeit
• copiousness
• bountifulness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of deficit

The previously unreported results reversed the race, turning Greene's initial 58-vote deficit into a 262-vote lead, according to the Georgia Secretary of State's Office. — Oliver Trapnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Nov. 2026

That came one night after the Hawks (27-3) came back from a 3-0 deficit to win their semifinal match against Venice in five sets. — Buddy Collings, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026

Marshall also gained 125 yards on 13 carries and scored on a 30-yard run that started KU’s comeback from a 19-point deficit. — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 8 Nov. 2026

The Dolphins turned in into a field goal that cut their deficit to 16-9. — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 8 Nov. 2026