as in deficiencies
formal
a failure to get what is expected or needed
a shortfall in milk production profit shortfalls
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Recent Examples of shortfalls
Asking contract cities to absorb excessive increases to shore up County budget shortfalls is neither equitable nor sustainable.
—
Rajiv Bhateja, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Snow shortfalls reached record territory across the mountains as drought in the Colorado River basin has only intensified.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
The staff reductions are meant to address budgetary shortfalls stemming from declining enrollment.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The fines were for Stellantis' fuel economy shortfalls in the 2019 and 2020 model years.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Those spending shortfalls often don’t show up for years.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Concerns related to private views, fitting neighborhood character, crime, property values, traffic congestion and parking shortfalls are factors that cannot be used to deny a project.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Years of investments in renewable energy and efficiency upgrades are saving Kentucky schools millions of dollars on utility bills, a lifeline for districts wrestling with funding shortfalls and rising electricity rates.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Organizers cited fundraising shortfalls as the cause for cancellation.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Rajiv Bhateja, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026
Snow shortfalls reached record territory across the mountains as drought in the Colorado River basin has only intensified.
—Naema Ahmed, Washington Post, 27 Feb. 2026
The staff reductions are meant to address budgetary shortfalls stemming from declining enrollment.
—Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 27 Feb. 2026
The fines were for Stellantis' fuel economy shortfalls in the 2019 and 2020 model years.
—Keith Laing, USA Today, 27 Feb. 2026
Those spending shortfalls often don’t show up for years.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2026
Concerns related to private views, fitting neighborhood character, crime, property values, traffic congestion and parking shortfalls are factors that cannot be used to deny a project.
—Jim Drummond, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Years of investments in renewable energy and efficiency upgrades are saving Kentucky schools millions of dollars on utility bills, a lifeline for districts wrestling with funding shortfalls and rising electricity rates.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Feb. 2026
Organizers cited fundraising shortfalls as the cause for cancellation.
—Carolyn Stein, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
-
In games like Tuesday, when that deep postseason run seems realistic, UCLA pops the ball around on offense and communicates and hustles to overcome its deficiencies on defense.—
Aaron Heisen,
Daily News,
6 Mar. 2026
-
The detention center operators would be required to correct any deficiencies identified by inspectors or face a civil penalty up to $25,000 a day for each violation.—
Ruben Vives,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Islanders had erased 2-0 deficits in each of their last three wins, but the Ducks kept them off the board in part by killing three penalties in the second period.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The past two years, the Sacramento City Council raised parking fees and axed dozens of vacant positions to help balance its multimillion-dollar budget deficits.—
Ishani Desai,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
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