as in shortage
a falling short of an essential or desirable amount or number
there's a famine of good general practitioners in many rural areas
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of famine
The cuts to aid, initiated by Trump ally Elon Musk at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), have sparked fears of famine and the spread of disease, with experts warning that increasingly desperate people could be driven into the arms of anti-American terrorist groups.
—
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Having navigated devastating famines, foreign invasions, civil conflicts and revolutionary periods, Chinese society has developed institutional approaches prioritizing long-term stability over immediate comfort.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Today, about 25 million people, or half the population, faces severe hunger with famine declared in five areas in southern and southwestern Sudan.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Having navigated devastating famines, foreign invasions, civil conflicts and revolutionary periods, Chinese society has developed institutional approaches prioritizing long-term stability over immediate comfort.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Apr. 2025
Today, about 25 million people, or half the population, faces severe hunger with famine declared in five areas in southern and southwestern Sudan.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 10 Apr. 2025
Jane’s fiercely unforgiving tone was adopted by militant Irish nationalists for whom the famine stood as the ultimate proof of English perfidy.
—Fintan O'Toole, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
-
Earlier this month, analysts at BTIG said tariffs could make dining operators like Texas Roadhouse vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and product shortages.—
Natasha Abellard,
CNBC,
25 Apr. 2025
-
What these Deals Tell Us About Investor Demand The first quarter transactions in Brooklyn and Manhattan signal robust investor confidence in free market multifamily, driven by the appeal of assets with minimal regulatory constraints and the city's persistent housing shortage.—
Shimon Shkury,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
His quickness getting across the crease, his evident athleticism, more than made up for any lack of experience.—
Mark Lazerus,
New York Times,
20 Apr. 2025
-
But, sadly, because bathrooms are such high-moisture rooms with a lack of ventilation, mold is easy to grow.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Bad fire season pollutes progress The primary cause of the worsening air quality for Americans comes as a result of climate events including wildfires, drought and extreme heat, according to the report.—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
-
With reduced visibility, poor air quality and hazardous driving conditions, large-scale dust storms like this reflect ongoing challenges posed by drought and land degradation in arid regions.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share