as in deficiency
formal
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls
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Recent Examples of shortfall
Every year, the shortfall goes on a credit card that already carries a $385,000 balance.
—
Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
DeLano responded that lawmakers could use the two-year period to address any such shortfall.
—Alex Rozier Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
School districts are already facing budget shortfalls and uncertainties due to enrollment declines.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
According to the nonpartisan research organization KFF, more than 190 rural hospitals have shut down between 2005 and early 2024 — about 10% of all rural hospitals in the country — because of budget shortfalls and related challenges.
—Windsor Johnston, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Steve Booren, Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2026
DeLano responded that lawmakers could use the two-year period to address any such shortfall.
—Alex Rozier Mississippi Today, Arkansas Online, 14 Feb. 2026
School districts are already facing budget shortfalls and uncertainties due to enrollment declines.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
According to the nonpartisan research organization KFF, more than 190 rural hospitals have shut down between 2005 and early 2024 — about 10% of all rural hospitals in the country — because of budget shortfalls and related challenges.
—Windsor Johnston, NPR, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for shortfall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfall
Noun
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No vitamin D deficiency around here.—
Becky Bartkowski,
AZCentral.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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High-impact sports can also destroy red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency anemia, while some athletes might also lose blood through their gastrointestinal tract, Hew-Butler says.—
Claire Cameron,
Scientific American,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The university disputed his statement, saying the deficit is substantially lower and stems from broader institutional and external factors.—
Jaweed Kaleem,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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Liam Gagne recorded 24 saves and Billerica rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Milton 3-2 in the first round of the Irish American Shootout.—
Kristina Banahan,
Boston Herald,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfall. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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