as in shortages
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 deficits
An engineer by training, Massie designed several patents — some on display in his office — as well as a debt calculator that blinks in flashing red numerals as the nation’s deficits pile up.
—
ABC News, 20 May 2026
America continues to run large external deficits; China continues to run large surpluses.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
With deficits projected as far as the eye can see, and federal debt larger than our entire economy and growing, there’s clearly a huge fiscal problem facing the country.
—Star Parker, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
As polarizing as Grenell was, some veterans say his criticisms reflected fears of structural deficits and financial hurdles that are not altogether uncommon for performing arts organizations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Coming at a time of war and large fiscal deficits globally, and with inflationary pressures building from scarcity across multiple industrial commodities, rates across the world are rising toward the top end of multi-year ranges.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The inflationary pressure of the conflict, along with large government deficits, mean yields will remain high for the foreseeable future, Apollo’s chief economist warned.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Republican Senate Budget Committee Vice Chair Roger Niello said the plan will still leave the next governor with ongoing structural deficits starting in 2028.
—Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
ABC News, 20 May 2026
America continues to run large external deficits; China continues to run large surpluses.
—Neil Shearing, Time, 20 May 2026
With deficits projected as far as the eye can see, and federal debt larger than our entire economy and growing, there’s clearly a huge fiscal problem facing the country.
—Star Parker, Boston Herald, 19 May 2026
The deficits were papered over with a series of short-term fixes, including loans and accounting gimmicks.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 19 May 2026
As polarizing as Grenell was, some veterans say his criticisms reflected fears of structural deficits and financial hurdles that are not altogether uncommon for performing arts organizations.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 19 May 2026
Coming at a time of war and large fiscal deficits globally, and with inflationary pressures building from scarcity across multiple industrial commodities, rates across the world are rising toward the top end of multi-year ranges.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 19 May 2026
The inflationary pressure of the conflict, along with large government deficits, mean yields will remain high for the foreseeable future, Apollo’s chief economist warned.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 18 May 2026
Republican Senate Budget Committee Vice Chair Roger Niello said the plan will still leave the next governor with ongoing structural deficits starting in 2028.
—Sacbee.com, 15 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
-
American officials also said Beijing would address rare earth shortages, although this was not mentioned in the corresponding statement from China.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Remember the pandemic-era chip shortages, which led to empty car lots, appliance backorders and factory shutdowns?—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Yellow zucchini leaves often signal issues like improper watering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.—
Nadia Hassani,
The Spruce,
19 May 2026
-
The blowout was a combination of the Pistons’ offensive deficiencies catching up with them their defensive intensity disappearing.—
Jason Lloyd,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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