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
And the longer the war drags on, the more likely that there will be shortages and price increases on a wide range of goods.
—
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Some of the main factors contributing to the extended wait times include staff and bed shortages, hospital flow issues (due to lack of primary care access), and overcrowding that leads to system stress, according to the Canadian Medical Association.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the broader matcha craze has swept much of the Western world—despite the powdered tea being a cornerstone of Japanese culture for centuries—with demand climbing so high that shortages and rising prices have followed.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The conflict is battering the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices; threatening food shortages in poor countries; destabilizing fragile states; and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Union leaders say many TSA workers recently missed their first full paycheck during the federal funding lapse, contributing to ongoing staffing shortages.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Staff, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Some airports have reported longer security lines because of staffing shortages as more TSA workers take on second jobs, can’t afford gas to get to work or leave the profession altogether.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In addition to the driving range issues, Tesla delivered Dondero’s Model X without a center console wireless charging component, a feature that Tesla staff told him wasn’t installed due to chip shortages at the time of manufacture.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Teacher morale is increasingly important as states continue to struggle with teacher shortages, especially in hard-to-fill jobs like special education, science, technology, math, engineering and bilingual education.
—Diana Lambert, Los Angeles Times, 10 Mar. 2026
Sam McNeil, Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
Some of the main factors contributing to the extended wait times include staff and bed shortages, hospital flow issues (due to lack of primary care access), and overcrowding that leads to system stress, according to the Canadian Medical Association.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 16 Mar. 2026
In recent years, the broader matcha craze has swept much of the Western world—despite the powdered tea being a cornerstone of Japanese culture for centuries—with demand climbing so high that shortages and rising prices have followed.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
The conflict is battering the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices; threatening food shortages in poor countries; destabilizing fragile states; and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
Union leaders say many TSA workers recently missed their first full paycheck during the federal funding lapse, contributing to ongoing staffing shortages.
—Cbs News Atlanta Digital Staff, CBS News, 16 Mar. 2026
Some airports have reported longer security lines because of staffing shortages as more TSA workers take on second jobs, can’t afford gas to get to work or leave the profession altogether.
—Rio Yamat, Chicago Tribune, 16 Mar. 2026
In addition to the driving range issues, Tesla delivered Dondero’s Model X without a center console wireless charging component, a feature that Tesla staff told him wasn’t installed due to chip shortages at the time of manufacture.
—Andrea Guzmán, Austin American Statesman, 16 Mar. 2026
Teacher morale is increasingly important as states continue to struggle with teacher shortages, especially in hard-to-fill jobs like special education, science, technology, math, engineering and bilingual education.
—Diana Lambert, Los Angeles Times, 10 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
-
Factors that can impact ALA conversion efficiency include high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, gender, age, nutrient deficiencies and genetics.—
LeeAnn Weintraub,
Daily News,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Jones highlighted the additions the Cowboys front office has overseen so far this offseason to help address the defensive deficiencies, leaving him optimistic heading into the next month's NFL Draft.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But even after increasing the highest income tax bracket rate from 35% to 41% and the top marginal rate from 37% to 43%, the proposal would still add to deficits.—
Zach Halaschak,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
-
This is an important lesson as the warnings over the country’s elevated debt and federal budget deficits become more dire.—
Robert Burgess,
Mercury News,
18 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This is because climate change and ecological collapse are very likely to cause political fragmentation that nullifies legal and cultural precedents like abolition, and bring about agrarian and manufacturing crises and scarcities in which people are forced into labor.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Dec. 2025
-
In addition to political persecution, returning Venezuelans would reenter a country teetering on collapse—maligned by hyperinflation, soaring unemployment, rampant crime, frequent power outages, water shortages and chronic scarcities of food and medicine.—
Antonio Maria Delgado,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortages. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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