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
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
Belt tightening, more optimistic revenue projections, lower-than-expected costs and reserve funds in varying degrees helped state and local government spending plans avoid yawning deficits.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 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
Widening budget deficits, lower-than-expected foreign investment, and questions about the feasibility of some of the PIF’s projects forced authorities to reassess priorities even before the Iran war hit economic confidence.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
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
Belt tightening, more optimistic revenue projections, lower-than-expected costs and reserve funds in varying degrees helped state and local government spending plans avoid yawning deficits.
—Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 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
Widening budget deficits, lower-than-expected foreign investment, and questions about the feasibility of some of the PIF’s projects forced authorities to reassess priorities even before the Iran war hit economic confidence.
—Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 22 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
-
The Democratic Alliance — the ANC’s main opponent in November polls despite its role as a ruling partner in the national government — is likely to benefit from the water shortages.—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng,
semafor.com,
1 June 2026
-
The consequence of the effect on fertilizer is higher food costs—and perhaps even food shortages.—
Jackie Flynn Mogensen,
Scientific American,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
One of his therapists had eventually explained to us that Charley used his ridiculous memory to compensate for his phonetic deficiencies.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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