deficits

noun

plural of deficit
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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of deficits The primary reasons for the increases are the annual deficits, the growth in unfunded Social Security and Medicare obligations, and increased unfunded liabilities in federal civilian and military pensions and retiree health care. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026 While taxing the wealthy has proven popular among Democrats, pairing the tax hikes with tax cuts for lower or middle-income taxpayers could prove challenging given the deficits, tax experts say. — Robert Frank, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026 But persistent deficits and rising debt service costs still leave the economy vulnerable, the World Bank said. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Nov. 2026 The Congressional Budget Office predicted these lower payments would reduce premiums for consumers by 1% and reduce federal deficits by $17 billion. — Lindsey Murtagh, The Conversation, 29 Oct. 2026 Districts across several Indian states have declared droughts and southern and eastern India suffered particularly large deficits. — Sibi Arasu, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Three teams overcame double-digit deficits to win in Week 7, with one of the teams that blew the lead not a surprise. — ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026 Its stagnant economy cannot generate enough tax revenue to finance its existing commitments without enormous deficits, let alone cover the protesters’ wish lists. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 25 Oct. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
  1. shortages
  2. lacks
  3. deficiencies
Noun
  • More than three-quarters of respondents (77%) say capability gaps will pose a bigger challenge than talent shortages, and 78% believe too few people are prepared for how work will be done in the future.
    — Bilin Lin, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026
  • California — especially rural California — is enduring one of the most severe medical shortages in the country.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of shortages
Noun
  • There's also a microSD card slot, which the Snapdragon version lacks.
    — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Critics say the arch lacks required congressional approval and could disrupt traffic and emergency response; the administration argues a century-old law authorizes the memorial.
    — Will Weissert, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of lacks
Noun
  • An independent committee found that the Housing Bureau's independent checking unit, the Buildings Department, the Fire Services Department and the Labor Department had deficiencies in their supervision work, Lee said.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The coaster’s most recent inspection, on March 16, reported no violations, deficiencies, citations or red tags, according to King.
    — Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of deficiencies

Browse Nearby Words

deficit
deficits
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Cite this Entry

“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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