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
Pauline Heinrichs, who studies climate and energy at King's College London, points to China's increasing use of coal to offset hydropower shortfalls due to droughts, worsening emissions that contribute to climate change.
—
Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
The Biden administration generally left Artemis alone, but the program had been slowed by the COVID pandemic, budget shortfalls and a variety of other factors.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Her stint in 2025 was promoted as a milestone to correct the franchise’s historic diversity shortfalls, but her romantic journey has been labeled by many members of the Bachelor Nation fan base as a low point.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Pauline Heinrichs, who studies climate and energy at King’s College London, points to China's boosting use of coal to offset hydropower shortfalls due to droughts, worsening emissions that contribute to climate change.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
The law will require a 1% additional cut at most state agencies beyond the 3% holdbacks Little ordered last summer to account for revenue shortfalls.
—Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
To immediately address the budget shortfalls, Hallquist said the city could apply to the budget the unrestricted reserves for the sewer infrastructure, although those funds will never come back.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The Colorado River basin ‒ and the seven states that depend on the river for water ‒ is facing significant shortfalls this summer following an unusually hot and dry winter.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The Blue Valley School District is facing budget shortfalls that district officials say could mean cuts to programs, depending on how Kansas legislators decide to calculate and allocate public school funding across the state.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Arkansas Online, 25 Mar. 2026
The Biden administration generally left Artemis alone, but the program had been slowed by the COVID pandemic, budget shortfalls and a variety of other factors.
—William Harwood, CBS News, 24 Mar. 2026
Her stint in 2025 was promoted as a milestone to correct the franchise’s historic diversity shortfalls, but her romantic journey has been labeled by many members of the Bachelor Nation fan base as a low point.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026
Pauline Heinrichs, who studies climate and energy at King’s College London, points to China's boosting use of coal to offset hydropower shortfalls due to droughts, worsening emissions that contribute to climate change.
—ABC News, 23 Mar. 2026
The law will require a 1% additional cut at most state agencies beyond the 3% holdbacks Little ordered last summer to account for revenue shortfalls.
—Idaho Statesman, 17 Mar. 2026
To immediately address the budget shortfalls, Hallquist said the city could apply to the budget the unrestricted reserves for the sewer infrastructure, although those funds will never come back.
—Bridget Fogarty, jsonline.com, 16 Mar. 2026
The Colorado River basin ‒ and the seven states that depend on the river for water ‒ is facing significant shortfalls this summer following an unusually hot and dry winter.
—Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 15 Mar. 2026
The Blue Valley School District is facing budget shortfalls that district officials say could mean cuts to programs, depending on how Kansas legislators decide to calculate and allocate public school funding across the state.
—Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for shortfalls
Noun
-
Most organizations try to fix deficiencies or incrementally raise satisfaction levels.—
Marcus Buckingham,
Harvard Business Review,
26 Mar. 2026
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In fact, more than half of women will experience some form of hair loss at one point or another — whether due to hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, stress or sheer genetics.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
25 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
That recycling loop is what allowed Washington to borrow cheaply, run persistent deficits, and still maintain the world’s reserve currency.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
24 Mar. 2026
-
In the furious battle for the final playoff spots in the Eastern Conference, the B’s erased two one-goal deficits and scored three third period goals to beat the Detroit Red Wings, 4-2, at the Little Caesars Arena.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Shortfalls.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/shortfalls. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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