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
As a result, there was a great famine in the city.
—
Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
How to manage in times of war or famine.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Land is inspired by her great-great-grandfather, who made maps for the British in the wake of the Great Hunger, the catastrophic famine spanning the years 1847 to 1852.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The play, produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company, tells the story of 13-year-old Kamkwamba’s plan to build a windmill during Malawi’s famine in 2001.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for famine
Helaine Williams, Arkansas Online, 6 June 2026
How to manage in times of war or famine.
—Literary Hub, 3 June 2026
Land is inspired by her great-great-grandfather, who made maps for the British in the wake of the Great Hunger, the catastrophic famine spanning the years 1847 to 1852.
—Rachel Vorona Cote, Vulture, 2 June 2026
The play, produced by The Royal Shakespeare Company, tells the story of 13-year-old Kamkwamba’s plan to build a windmill during Malawi’s famine in 2001.
—Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
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The resulting labor shortage is driving up wages, another source of inflation in the country.—
Lauren Kent,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
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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
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Detainees at the facility have reported a lack of access to lawyers and poor physical conditions, including worms in the food, toilets that do not flush, floors flooding with fecal waste and insects everywhere.—
Landon Mion,
FOXNews.com,
18 June 2026
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In today’s food environment, addiction to UPFs should not be written off as a lack of personal willpower, said Forman, who researches ultraprocessed food addiction.—
Sandee LaMotte,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
Noun
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The 2024 Olympic silver medalist could be in line to end a three-decade gold medal drought in 2028.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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Soon, that drought may end, as the Knicks overcame a 29-point second half deficit to defeat the Spurs 107-106, take a three games to one lead and get to within one victory from their first championship in 53 years.—
Tim Casey,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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