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
Several state and local governments have been stepping in to help fill funding shortfalls for food banks and pantries.
—
Tovia Smith, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
So that means that both the FAA and airlines have to react to those staffing shortfalls rather than planning for them.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
The shutdown has forced tens of thousands of essential aviation workers—in particular air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents—to continue working largely without pay, resulting in growing fatigue and staffing shortfalls.
—AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Back in 2021, as schools across the country cut programs to offset shortfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic, FDU added two sports—men’s volleyball and women’s lacrosse.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2025
In March, the USAF Reserve Chief testified that funding shortfalls and aging aircraft are jeopardizing readiness, warning that limited resources could undermine the Reserve’s ability to respond quickly to crises at home and abroad.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
French authorities have acknowledged major gaps in the Louvre’s security, with unions blaming staff cuts and funding shortfalls.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
In Oakland, the budget shortfalls are projected to persist into 2030, according to its most recent five-year annual forecast.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Health care costs are on the rise, and that’s especially been the case for the care economy, where providers are facing funding shortfalls (that have been exacerbated by new budget cuts).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Tovia Smith, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
So that means that both the FAA and airlines have to react to those staffing shortfalls rather than planning for them.
—Dan Vergano, Scientific American, 7 Nov. 2025
The shutdown has forced tens of thousands of essential aviation workers—in particular air traffic controllers and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents—to continue working largely without pay, resulting in growing fatigue and staffing shortfalls.
—AFAR Media, 7 Nov. 2025
Back in 2021, as schools across the country cut programs to offset shortfalls from the COVID-19 pandemic, FDU added two sports—men’s volleyball and women’s lacrosse.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 4 Nov. 2025
In March, the USAF Reserve Chief testified that funding shortfalls and aging aircraft are jeopardizing readiness, warning that limited resources could undermine the Reserve’s ability to respond quickly to crises at home and abroad.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025
French authorities have acknowledged major gaps in the Louvre’s security, with unions blaming staff cuts and funding shortfalls.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
In Oakland, the budget shortfalls are projected to persist into 2030, according to its most recent five-year annual forecast.
—Panashe Matemba-Mutasa, Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2025
Health care costs are on the rise, and that’s especially been the case for the care economy, where providers are facing funding shortfalls (that have been exacerbated by new budget cuts).
—Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
-
Opponents raised concerns about the cost of new construction and long-term debt, arguing that renovations could have addressed the library’s deficiencies.—
Daniel Hunt,
Sacbee.com,
8 Nov. 2025
-
These nutrients reduce the risk of certain conditions present at birth, help fetal development, and prevent deficiencies that can affect the pregnant person.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The north’s deficits are growing, albeit from a lower base, while the south’s are shrinking.—
Semafor Events,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The question has extra resonance at a time when local deficits and federal cuts are forcing leaders to make tough choices about which programs stay afloat.—
Blake Nelson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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