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 Democratic Alliance — the ANC’s main opponent in November polls despite its role as a ruling partner in the national government — is likely to benefit from the water shortages.
—
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
The consequence of the effect on fertilizer is higher food costs—and perhaps even food shortages.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Faced with severe shortages of soldiers, the military is looking to extend the period of mandatory service.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
That does not mean gasoline shortages are imminent.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Meanwhile, concerns over shortages are also beginning to affect consumers.
—CNBC, 26 May 2026
The legislation is intended to address regional housing shortages that drive up rents and contribute to homelessness.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Many medical professionals had left to protect their families when the Russians invaded, leading to severe staffing shortages.
—Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Mabe said chronic staffing shortages must be fixed.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2024
Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
The consequence of the effect on fertilizer is higher food costs—and perhaps even food shortages.
—Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 1 June 2026
Faced with severe shortages of soldiers, the military is looking to extend the period of mandatory service.
—Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
That does not mean gasoline shortages are imminent.
—Robert Rapier, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026
Meanwhile, concerns over shortages are also beginning to affect consumers.
—CNBC, 26 May 2026
The legislation is intended to address regional housing shortages that drive up rents and contribute to homelessness.
—Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2026
Many medical professionals had left to protect their families when the Russians invaded, leading to severe staffing shortages.
—Martha Raddatz, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026
Mabe said chronic staffing shortages must be fixed.
—Laura A. Bischoff, The Enquirer, 27 Dec. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortages
Noun
-
The Drive The turbo engine gives it the push the standard engine lacks, especially when merging, climbing grades or passing.—
Josh Max,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
Ford’s freedom or constraints, his prejudices or lacks, gauge his moment and ours.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Also, legislation to diagnose and treat deficiencies in math is moving in the Capitol.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
One of his therapists had eventually explained to us that Charley used his ridiculous memory to compensate for his phonetic deficiencies.—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The city has fallen back on multiple tax measures to draw more money, though spending cuts have also alleviated — for now — yearly deficits in the General Purpose Fund budget, which pays for most salaries and daily operations.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
-
American Francis Tiafoe, a fan favorite, has repeatedly overcome early deficits to reach the fourth round.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
1 June 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 9 Jun. 2026.
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