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
The dress's origin is often attributed to lingerie designer Sylvia Pedlar, who developed the mini dress in 1942 in response to fabric shortages during World War II.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Gas and diesel shortages have triggered more frequent power cuts in industrial zones.
—Julhas Alam, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Lightrocket | Getty Images Micron has become a standout favorite during the ongoing memory chip rally as tech companies scramble to secure supply amid shortages.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Jet fuel shortages have led to flight cuts.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Like a show of resistance, there was a renaissance in full-length skirts, despite shortages in materials.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Coca-Cola did not respond to a request for comment on the shortages.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Travelers should brace for higher airfares this summer due to looming jet fuel shortages amid the war with Iran.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026
Our economy is suffering too, with critical workforce shortages of teachers and nurses.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 11 May 2026
Gas and diesel shortages have triggered more frequent power cuts in industrial zones.
—Julhas Alam, Fortune, 11 May 2026
Lightrocket | Getty Images Micron has become a standout favorite during the ongoing memory chip rally as tech companies scramble to secure supply amid shortages.
—Tobias Burns, CNBC, 11 May 2026
Jet fuel shortages have led to flight cuts.
—ABC News, 11 May 2026
Like a show of resistance, there was a renaissance in full-length skirts, despite shortages in materials.
—Literary Hub, 11 May 2026
Coca-Cola did not respond to a request for comment on the shortages.
—Mithil Aggarwal, NBC news, 10 May 2026
Travelers should brace for higher airfares this summer due to looming jet fuel shortages amid the war with Iran.
—Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 May 2026
Our economy is suffering too, with critical workforce shortages of teachers and nurses.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 4 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortages
Noun
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
-
Dipping into 2027 draft capital to make a fifth-round selection in a draft that Schneider has repeatedly said lacks depth is a surprising move.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
While apps can sometimes be helpful for identifying very basic issues, many fail to accurately diagnose complex pest infestations and nutrient deficiencies.—
Jamie Siebrase,
Denver Post,
8 May 2026
-
The launch was a response to the popularity of GLP-1 weight loss drugs, which can cause hair loss due to nutritional deficiencies.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
Written off by some as past his prime, the 29-year-old twice recovered from 2-0 deficits, against France’s Felix Lebrun in the semifinals and Harimoto in the first game of the finals, to earn the nickname the ‘King of the Comeback’.—
Eduardo Tansley,
New York Times,
12 May 2026
-
Oklahoma City faced its first fourth-quarter deficits of the entire playoffs in Game 4 as the Lakers repeatedly refused to fold.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Combine these two scarcities and watch how PooCravian information proliferates with no end in sight.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
30 Apr. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Shortages.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortages. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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