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
Staffing shortages identified years ago continue to undermine security and basic operations.
—
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The delivery comes as Ukraine leans heavily on drones to offset shortages in traditional missiles and aircraft.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Price rises and memory shortages are likely to continue through 2027, a top semiconductor industry CEO told CNBC, adding to the view that the crunch that's been caused by the AI infrastructure boom may last longer than expected.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
The union is striking for higher wages and benefits and hiring more employees to fill staffing shortages.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
At the same time, a currency collapsing under international sanctions, water shortages and recurring power outages have sharpened a sense of crisis across the country.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Dubbed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, the new measure comes as state officials have warned that Illinois may face energy shortages and higher bills as data centers and artificial intelligence needs drive a surge in demand.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Proponents argue that these AI programs can help relieve staff burnout and worker shortages by reducing time spent on medical records, referrals and other administrative tasks.
—Martha Bebinger, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Since the early years of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 and 2021, hospitals have been pressed to raise wages to avert staff shortages while federal Medicaid and Medicare payments failed to keep pace with medical inflation, according to the American Hospital Association.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
The delivery comes as Ukraine leans heavily on drones to offset shortages in traditional missiles and aircraft.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 26 Jan. 2026
Picture Alliance | Picture Alliance | Getty Images Price rises and memory shortages are likely to continue through 2027, a top semiconductor industry CEO told CNBC, adding to the view that the crunch that's been caused by the AI infrastructure boom may last longer than expected.
—Arjun Kharpal, CNBC, 26 Jan. 2026
The union is striking for higher wages and benefits and hiring more employees to fill staffing shortages.
—Pat Maio, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
At the same time, a currency collapsing under international sanctions, water shortages and recurring power outages have sharpened a sense of crisis across the country.
—Roxana Saberi, Time, 9 Jan. 2026
Dubbed the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act, the new measure comes as state officials have warned that Illinois may face energy shortages and higher bills as data centers and artificial intelligence needs drive a surge in demand.
—Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Proponents argue that these AI programs can help relieve staff burnout and worker shortages by reducing time spent on medical records, referrals and other administrative tasks.
—Martha Bebinger, NPR, 9 Jan. 2026
Since the early years of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020 and 2021, hospitals have been pressed to raise wages to avert staff shortages while federal Medicaid and Medicare payments failed to keep pace with medical inflation, according to the American Hospital Association.
—Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 9 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortages
Noun
-
Economic theory would suggest that the best place to make a major investment such as a STAR bond would be in a place that has low, or lacks, economic activity.—
Sofi Zeman
January 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
-
The 6-2, 2-00-pounder lacks experience but does boast ideal length and versatility and currently projects as a late-round selection or free agent.—
Thomas Jones,
Austin American Statesman,
16 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Fortification began in the United States in the early 20th century, when scientists linked nutrient deficiencies to widespread health problems, explains Young.—
Daryl Austin,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Nutrient Deficiencies Following either the keto diet or being in ketosis can lead to nutrient deficiencies due to the restriction of carbohydrates, which are vital sources of various vitamins and minerals.—
Brittany Lubeck,
Verywell Health,
6 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Yee, who has been running on her background as controller and a member of the California Board of Equalization, cast herself as the financial savior the state needs in trying economic times of budget deficits and federal cuts.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Officials cited low enrollment and ongoing deficits for closing the six pre-K to eighth-grade schools.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Feb. 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 9 Feb. 2026.
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