as in shortages
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
a growing deficit in the number of hours devoted to sleep
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Recent Examples of deficits
These changes, rooted in frustrations with two decades of monetary policy, signal a clear escalation in risk against the current economic backdrop of rising deficits, deglobalization, and potential material shortages.
—
Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Drought concerns in the Midwest and Northeast Widespread moderate drought has developed recently in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, where precipitation during August was well below normal (rainfall deficits of 3 to 5 inches).
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
And in the worst-case scenario, countries never get fully back on track, and their TB control programs operate at permanent deficits.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
At some point in the near future, a government will likely be compelled to impose unpopular austerity measures and address the deficits in the pension system.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The European Union has a 3% limit on budget deficits for countries that use the euro.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
James Gallagher, the Republican leader of the state Assembly, pointed to the state’s ongoing budget deficits, homelessness crisis and sky-high costs of living in a social media post responding to Newsom’s letter.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The closure comes as local governments across the Bay Area face budget deficits, and some cities, including San Jose, prioritize spending on shelter beds to alleviate homelessness.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
Cuts are only likely if Congress does nothing to sure-up the current deficits that exist.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Drought concerns in the Midwest and Northeast Widespread moderate drought has developed recently in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, where precipitation during August was well below normal (rainfall deficits of 3 to 5 inches).
—Doyle Rice, USA Today, 14 Sep. 2025
And in the worst-case scenario, countries never get fully back on track, and their TB control programs operate at permanent deficits.
—Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 11 Sep. 2025
At some point in the near future, a government will likely be compelled to impose unpopular austerity measures and address the deficits in the pension system.
—Jenni Reid, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
The European Union has a 3% limit on budget deficits for countries that use the euro.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 9 Sep. 2025
James Gallagher, the Republican leader of the state Assembly, pointed to the state’s ongoing budget deficits, homelessness crisis and sky-high costs of living in a social media post responding to Newsom’s letter.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The closure comes as local governments across the Bay Area face budget deficits, and some cities, including San Jose, prioritize spending on shelter beds to alleviate homelessness.
—Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 9 Sep. 2025
Cuts are only likely if Congress does nothing to sure-up the current deficits that exist.
—Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
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By last winter, after significant reconstruction, rolling blackouts were rare, and power shortages were mostly localized.—
Ken Silverstein,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
-
With rising costs, labor shortages and a push for more sustainable building methods, this kind of breakthrough could shape the future of American neighborhoods.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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This absence — of God, of love, of plain community spirit — is a metaphor for the whole parish, where everyone is defined by their own lacks and deficiencies, the weaknesses that cause Wicks to despise them and vow to bring down them all.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
6 Sep. 2025
-
But Davies’s film has a patience and lightness of touch that Scorsese’s lacks, as well as a note-perfect lead in Gillian Anderson.—
Elle Carroll,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Aside from not having Worthy, the most significant concern for the Chiefs coming out of Brazil was deficiencies in the pass defense, which saw Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert throw for 318 yards and three touchdowns.—
Pete Sweeney,
Kansas City Star,
11 Sep. 2025
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The 2024 report is based on information from 77,688 containers inspected, where 8,850 were found to have deficiencies.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 19 Sep. 2025.
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