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
Several members of the Education Committee and the Connecticut Education Association are in favor of the ban, saying that a phone-free environment is needed as unlimited access to cellphones has created academic deficits.
—
Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Californians know a single strong storm can improve the state’s snowpack and back-to-back systems could wipe out deficits.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Citizens should be outraged that fees collected by the state through energy company bills (RGGI) are then used by the governor to balance a budget with annual deficits in the billions.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
Conditions are most concerning across parts of southern and southwestern Colorado, where snowpack deficits are greatest.
—Joe Ruch, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
District officials have projected millions in cuts to balance the current budget under its Structural Deficit Reduction Plan, citing ongoing financial deficits as well as declining enrollment.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
That means Bee Cave is operating with a surplus at a time when many cities are facing budget deficits.
—Kara King, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Yee, who has been running on her background as controller and a member of the California Board of Equalization, cast herself as the financial savior the state needs in trying economic times of budget deficits and federal cuts.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The first quarter specifically has continued to cause issues for the Magic, which has left them facing deep deficits similar to Tuesday’s game at Oklahoma City (40-11) and two days earlier at San Antonio (33-16).
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 11 Feb. 2026
Californians know a single strong storm can improve the state’s snowpack and back-to-back systems could wipe out deficits.
—Monica Garske, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Citizens should be outraged that fees collected by the state through energy company bills (RGGI) are then used by the governor to balance a budget with annual deficits in the billions.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 10 Feb. 2026
Conditions are most concerning across parts of southern and southwestern Colorado, where snowpack deficits are greatest.
—Joe Ruch, CBS News, 10 Feb. 2026
District officials have projected millions in cuts to balance the current budget under its Structural Deficit Reduction Plan, citing ongoing financial deficits as well as declining enrollment.
—Alexandra Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
That means Bee Cave is operating with a surplus at a time when many cities are facing budget deficits.
—Kara King, Austin American Statesman, 6 Feb. 2026
Yee, who has been running on her background as controller and a member of the California Board of Equalization, cast herself as the financial savior the state needs in trying economic times of budget deficits and federal cuts.
—Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026
The first quarter specifically has continued to cause issues for the Magic, which has left them facing deep deficits similar to Tuesday’s game at Oklahoma City (40-11) and two days earlier at San Antonio (33-16).
—Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deficits
Noun
-
Staffing shortages have plagued the grocery industry since the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Francesca Pica,
jsonline.com,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Joining Air New Zealand just as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed, Foran tackled a series of crises, from persistent shortages of engine components to the grounding of up to 11 aircraft.—
Alexander Coolidge,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Each provides amino acids that the other lacks, so eating them together gives you all the essential amino acids.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Economic theory would suggest that the best place to make a major investment such as a STAR bond would be in a place that has low, or lacks, economic activity.—
Sofi Zeman
January 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Common causes for both include stress, hormonal changes, and nutritional deficiencies.—
Rebecca Strong,
USA Today,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Those facilities could be ordered to close, too, if the deficiencies identified aren’t addressed within the next few months.—
Jason Henry,
Daily News,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Deficits.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deficits. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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