as in lack
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year
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Recent Examples of shortage
Food shortages would be far more serious.
—
Joe Dymek, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
The country has warned that international airlines would no longer be able refuel in the country due to fuel shortages.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages.
—Mathew Miranda
february 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The affordability crisis characterized by rising rents, stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing is driving instability, homelessness and longer commutes.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Joe Dymek, Baltimore Sun, 15 Feb. 2026
The country has warned that international airlines would no longer be able refuel in the country due to fuel shortages.
—Sam Meredith, CNBC, 14 Feb. 2026
His campaign website emphasizes strengthening federal wildfire suppression, adopting Medicare for All and fixing water shortages.
—Mathew Miranda
february 14, Sacbee.com, 14 Feb. 2026
The affordability crisis characterized by rising rents, stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing is driving instability, homelessness and longer commutes.
—Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortage
Noun
-
There should be empathy for his injury, but no sympathy for his lack of production.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Other experts said the subject’s movement could illustrate a lack of urgency.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
No vitamin D deficiency around here.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
-
High-impact sports can also destroy red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency anemia, while some athletes might also lose blood through their gastrointestinal tract, Hew-Butler says.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
While nonlinear optical frequency conversion is one of the most effective methods, progress has been constrained by the scarcity of suitable crystals.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Feb. 2026
-
The recent grocery store and pharmacy closures in Milwaukee largely affect lower-income neighborhoods already navigating fresh food scarcity and inaccessibility.—
Everett Eaton,
jsonline.com,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortage. Accessed 18 Feb. 2026.
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