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
This is not surprising given the multibillion-dollar budget deficits that leave Marylanders shaking their heads, wondering what is happening in the governor’s office that is leaving their checking accounts under more and more pressure every month.
—
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
The Celtics lead the four-game season series 3-0, having overcome 19- and 22-point deficits in two of those games.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Low attendance and recurring financial deficits saw the 1984 festival reduced to five public concerts over four days.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Before the vote, Coppell ISD had been reducing staff through attrition, but afterwards, additional cuts became necessary to make up the deficits, according to Amanda Simpson, director of communications.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The deficits were worsened by faulty estimates of how much the Medi-Cal expansion would cost.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The lack of a snowpack will only increase soil moisture deficits, which can make heat waves more severe.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
That recycling loop is what allowed Washington to borrow cheaply, run persistent deficits, and still maintain the world’s reserve currency.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
In the furious battle for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the B’s erased two one-goal deficits and scored three third period goals to beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, at the Little Caesars Arena.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 1 Apr. 2026
The Celtics lead the four-game season series 3-0, having overcome 19- and 22-point deficits in two of those games.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 30 Mar. 2026
Low attendance and recurring financial deficits saw the 1984 festival reduced to five public concerts over four days.
—George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026
Before the vote, Coppell ISD had been reducing staff through attrition, but afterwards, additional cuts became necessary to make up the deficits, according to Amanda Simpson, director of communications.
—Jessica Ma, Dallas Morning News, 27 Mar. 2026
The deficits were worsened by faulty estimates of how much the Medi-Cal expansion would cost.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
The lack of a snowpack will only increase soil moisture deficits, which can make heat waves more severe.
—Greg Porter, San Francisco Chronicle, 26 Mar. 2026
That recycling loop is what allowed Washington to borrow cheaply, run persistent deficits, and still maintain the world’s reserve currency.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 24 Mar. 2026
In the furious battle for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the B’s erased two one-goal deficits and scored three third period goals to beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, at the Little Caesars Arena.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
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Analysts partially credit the stability to a mature domestic biofuels industry that allows the country to withstand geopolitical shocks with minimal risk of fuel shortages.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Aluminum prices hit a four‑year high as Iranian strikes on Middle Eastern producers stoke fears of supply shortages.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
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Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
At Pebble Creek at Lake Mary, 85 apartment units were condemned due to life-threatening deficiencies, and at the Rialto Apartments near Sand Lake Road, nearly 400 residents were evacuated due to structural instability.—
Keegan A. Berry,
The Orlando Sentinel,
3 Apr. 2026
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Common causes for both include stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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