as in lacks
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 shortages
Many started profiting from GLP-1 drugs during widespread shortages.
—
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Anticipating global shortages, both Russia and China have already instituted export bans of certain fertilizers to help ensure ample domestic supplies.
—E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Past staff shortages, other issues Two years ago, a Sacramento Bee investigation found BOI had one investigator for the entire state and a backlog of roughly 350 cases.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Fuel shortages increased the cost of transportation, and the production of key health commodities like mosquito nets which are made of polyester, which is made of petrochemicals.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
Hitting home American consumers aren’t facing the gas and food shortages or power outages other countries are seeing from the war, but they will be hit in the pocketbook.
—Aya S. Chacar, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
According to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, 55 of the state’s 58 counties faced shortages of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other roles.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Analysts partially credit the stability to a mature domestic biofuels industry that allows the country to withstand geopolitical shocks with minimal risk of fuel shortages.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Cuba has for months been squeezed by an American ban on Venezuelan oil imports to the island, which has quickly spiraled into an energy crisis where blackouts and food shortages are common, and health care and transportation judder to a halt.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Dhruv Khullar, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
Anticipating global shortages, both Russia and China have already instituted export bans of certain fertilizers to help ensure ample domestic supplies.
—E.j. Antoni, Boston Herald, 6 Apr. 2026
Past staff shortages, other issues Two years ago, a Sacramento Bee investigation found BOI had one investigator for the entire state and a backlog of roughly 350 cases.
—Joe Rubin, Sacbee.com, 6 Apr. 2026
Fuel shortages increased the cost of transportation, and the production of key health commodities like mosquito nets which are made of polyester, which is made of petrochemicals.
—Fatma Tanis, NPR, 6 Apr. 2026
Hitting home American consumers aren’t facing the gas and food shortages or power outages other countries are seeing from the war, but they will be hit in the pocketbook.
—Aya S. Chacar, The Conversation, 6 Apr. 2026
According to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information, 55 of the state’s 58 counties faced shortages of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and other roles.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Apr. 2026
Analysts partially credit the stability to a mature domestic biofuels industry that allows the country to withstand geopolitical shocks with minimal risk of fuel shortages.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Cuba has for months been squeezed by an American ban on Venezuelan oil imports to the island, which has quickly spiraled into an energy crisis where blackouts and food shortages are common, and health care and transportation judder to a halt.
—Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortages
Noun
-
As of Wednesday, firearms dealers are required under state law to use scanners that pull the prospective purchaser’s name, date of birth and other details from the card’s magnetic strip, which the new design lacks — except if they are authorized otherwise.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
His athletic deficiencies show up in pass protection.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Health inspectors also noted deficiencies such as lack of handwashing, unacceptable sanitizer usage, and accumulation of food residue on non-food equipment.—
Shambhavi Rimal,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Just like the Stars against Calgary, the Wild rallied from a pair of one-goal deficits against Seattle and are once again feeling good about their game heading into Thursday’s final regular-season meeting with the Stars.—
Michael Russo,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
In addition, long-term structural deficits at AC Transit – including the rising costs of employees, bus maintenance, and fuel – have pushed the transit agency toward a fiscal cliff, according to budget documents.—
Chase Hunter,
Mercury News,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Meanwhile, the island’s population, almost all of which lives below the poverty line according to some estimates, continues to face essential scarcities, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis.—
Prashant Rao,
semafor.com,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the financial strain continued and, by the fall, dozens of staff and prisoners were telling ProPublica about unusual scarcities in facilities across the country.—
Keri Blakinger,
ProPublica,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortages. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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