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
Trust us, there are shortfalls in what’s been happening.
—
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Paramount Skydance said first-quarter profit rose despite shortfalls in the company’s largest business –traditional TV — as revenue dips from cable and broadcast were offset by growth in movie and TV production as well as subscriptions to Paramount+.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 May 2026
The proposal, which hasn’t yet qualified for the ballot, immediately drew concerns from Democratic lawmakers, who are reeling from making regular $1 billion-dollar cuts in recent years to make up for ongoing budget shortfalls.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Still, without corrective action, city staff warned those funds could drop if no changes are made to current spending and revenues to roughly 2% by June 2027, falling below the city’s policy on maintaining a 10% minimum in reserves in case of unexpected costs or revenue shortfalls.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
For the past two years, the city has raised rates at meter and off-street garages amid fiscal shortfalls.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Olathe Public Schools is considering whether to end its Voluntary Early Retirement Plan (VERP) and Health Reimbursement Agreements (HRAs) as part of cost-saving efforts due to budget shortfalls, according to a teacher’s union and a district spokesperson.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
O'Hara has met with Lussier's family, acknowledging shortfalls but also pointing out that staffing levels and caseloads placed an extraordinary burden on officers at the time.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The country’s pullout leaves the Met facing a $30 million deficit as of July 31, the end of its fiscal year, and potentially greater shortfalls beyond that.
—News Desk, Artforum, 24 Apr. 2026
Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel, 6 May 2026
Paramount Skydance said first-quarter profit rose despite shortfalls in the company’s largest business –traditional TV — as revenue dips from cable and broadcast were offset by growth in movie and TV production as well as subscriptions to Paramount+.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 May 2026
The proposal, which hasn’t yet qualified for the ballot, immediately drew concerns from Democratic lawmakers, who are reeling from making regular $1 billion-dollar cuts in recent years to make up for ongoing budget shortfalls.
—The Denver Post, Denver Post, 2 May 2026
Still, without corrective action, city staff warned those funds could drop if no changes are made to current spending and revenues to roughly 2% by June 2027, falling below the city’s policy on maintaining a 10% minimum in reserves in case of unexpected costs or revenue shortfalls.
—Mona Darwish, Oc Register, 1 May 2026
For the past two years, the city has raised rates at meter and off-street garages amid fiscal shortfalls.
—Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 30 Apr. 2026
Olathe Public Schools is considering whether to end its Voluntary Early Retirement Plan (VERP) and Health Reimbursement Agreements (HRAs) as part of cost-saving efforts due to budget shortfalls, according to a teacher’s union and a district spokesperson.
—Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 29 Apr. 2026
O'Hara has met with Lussier's family, acknowledging shortfalls but also pointing out that staffing levels and caseloads placed an extraordinary burden on officers at the time.
—Conor Wight, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2026
The country’s pullout leaves the Met facing a $30 million deficit as of July 31, the end of its fiscal year, and potentially greater shortfalls beyond that.
—News Desk, Artforum, 24 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
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
-
As Chicago begins laying the groundwork for its next budget — amid warnings of deficits and difficult choices — the same familiar debate is taking shape.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
6 May 2026
-
Those warnings proved accurate, as the city has since faced two consecutive years of budget deficits.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 13 May. 2026.
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