as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a famine of good general practitioners in many rural areas
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Recent Examples of famine
While the famine designation has been lifted, hunger continues to grip parts of Gaza.
—
Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
Their origins came from a wanderlusting Russian plant-lover named Nikolai Vavilov who dreamed of a one-stop shop for seeds from all over the world for researchers, scientists, and breeders to learn from and use to fight famine.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025
And that is not remotely close to the threshold for determining famine.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Now, facing the prospect of being sent back to famine and conflict, TPS holders have few viable pathways to remain in the United States.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 28 Dec. 2025
Their origins came from a wanderlusting Russian plant-lover named Nikolai Vavilov who dreamed of a one-stop shop for seeds from all over the world for researchers, scientists, and breeders to learn from and use to fight famine.
—Julia Daye, Popular Science, 25 Dec. 2025
And that is not remotely close to the threshold for determining famine.
—Beth Bailey, FOXNews.com, 22 Dec. 2025
Now, facing the prospect of being sent back to famine and conflict, TPS holders have few viable pathways to remain in the United States.
—Yamiche Alcindor, NBC news, 21 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
-
Wagner said the shortages of equipment and staff will have a lasting impact on rebuilding in his community.—
Jeff Nguyen,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Sale speculation has surrounded Puma since last September, and there’s been no shortage on who could be buyers for the German sportswear brand.—
Vicki M. Young,
Footwear News,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Dead drummer Mickey Hart said at one point legendary concert promoter Bill Graham vented to him about the lack of catchy songs.—
Adam Levine,
CNN Money,
11 Jan. 2026
-
The first indicator is oftentimes a lack of water flow from faucets when the weather is extremely cold.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Keep in mind that drought-tolerant natives should be well-watered their first year or two before curtailing or eliminating watering altogether.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
8 Nov. 2025
-
In the 2022-23 season, the rainfall topped off Marin reservoirs and extracted the county from a significant drought.—
Adrian Rodriguez,
Mercury News,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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