deficit spending

noun

: the spending of public funds raised by borrowing rather than by taxation

Examples of deficit spending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Biggs amendment would have permanently stopped deficit spending by limiting federal expenditures to the average annual revenue collected over the previous three years. Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026 Success means balanced budgets that protect essential services without gimmicks or deficit spending, and a county hospital that is strong, accessible, and financially secure. Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026 Policy choices like deficit spending and higher tariffs threaten to boost inflation, putting the Fed in a bind. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026 Historically, Germans have opposed deficit spending. Sudha David-Wilp, Foreign Affairs, 23 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deficit spending

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deficit spending was in 1938

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Cite this Entry

“Deficit spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit%20spending. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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