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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 single that slipped through the middle of the infield had allowed the Mets to strike first in a game just getting started, but early deficits feel deep gorges these days.
—
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Chronic budget deficits are hard to ignore.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
American Francis Tiafoe, a fan favorite, has repeatedly overcome early deficits to reach the fourth round.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 1 June 2026
The Bruins erased late deficits against Michigan State, Nebraska and Oregon in three straight Big Ten tournament games, walking off all three teams on their way to the conference title.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 June 2026
On deficits, Bessent told reporters at the White House that the administration was essentially dealt a bad hand from former President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Supporters said the tax is needed as BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit and other agencies are facing looming deficits, as federal relief funding dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic runs out.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 2026
Chronic budget deficits are hard to ignore.
—William Baldwin, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.
—Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 3 June 2026
American Francis Tiafoe, a fan favorite, has repeatedly overcome early deficits to reach the fourth round.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 1 June 2026
The Bruins erased late deficits against Michigan State, Nebraska and Oregon in three straight Big Ten tournament games, walking off all three teams on their way to the conference title.
—Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 June 2026
On deficits, Bessent told reporters at the White House that the administration was essentially dealt a bad hand from former President Joe Biden, a Democrat.
—ABC News, 1 June 2026
Over three years — from fall 2021 to fall 2023 — the letter said, at least 20% of Berkeley first-semester calculus students who took a diagnostic exam showed deficits.
—Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 27 May 2026
Supporters said the tax is needed as BART, Muni, Caltrain, AC Transit and other agencies are facing looming deficits, as federal relief funding dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic runs out.
—Tim Fang, CBS News, 26 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
-
Cuba provides free, universal healthcare, but the system has been pushed to the brink as a result of resource shortages, fuel scarcity and power outages that can last more than 20 hours.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
15 June 2026
-
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
-
What Hafley’s team lacks are proven, established names; productivity that can be relied on if healthy.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
7 June 2026
-
The Drive The turbo engine gives it the push the standard engine lacks, especially when merging, climbing grades or passing.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
For a team that has barely begun to address its many roster deficiencies, the San Francisco Giants are winning the heck out of the Winter Meetings.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
10 Dec. 2025
-
Vitamin D deficiencies may be more pronounced during the winter months due to less sunlight.—
Maggie O'Neill,
Health,
9 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
