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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of famine
It is estimated that the major famines in India during the British rule contributed to the deaths for millions of the population.
—
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2025
The conflict resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe with over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and over 638,000 people experiencing the worst famine in Sudan’s recent history.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
No other society has ever faced a steeper population decline absent war, disease or famine.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The pause in fighting is the first phase of the truce, announced last week, and will bring relief to the people of Gaza who have experienced destruction and famine in the region.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for famine 
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 21 Jan. 2025
The conflict resulted in the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe with over 30 million people in need of humanitarian assistance, and over 638,000 people experiencing the worst famine in Sudan’s recent history.
—Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
No other society has ever faced a steeper population decline absent war, disease or famine.
—Micah McCartney, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025
The pause in fighting is the first phase of the truce, announced last week, and will bring relief to the people of Gaza who have experienced destruction and famine in the region.
—Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for famine
Recent Examples of Synonyms for famine
Noun
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The Trump Administration has offered a separation package to federal workers, including air traffic controllers, which could cause further staffing shortages.—
Pete Muntean,
CNN,
1 Feb. 2025
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Meanwhile, data shows that there is also a shortage of fully qualified air traffic control staff.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Though Gen X has trouble accepting change and transition, Gen Z is also firmly out of touch with some of life’s realities simply due to their lack of experience.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2025
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The lack of communication about this data and information gap also disrupts the relationship between the CDC and its partners, Shah says.—
Pien Huang,
NPR,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Upper Basin states argue that their smaller reservoirs and more severe drought conditions justify keeping their water consumption levels higher, while the Lower Basin states, already committed to significant cuts, push for more aggressive reductions.—
Jonathan Granoff,
Newsweek,
29 Jan. 2025
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Brown led the Kings to 48 wins and the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, ending the longest playoff drought in NBA history after 16 consecutive losing seasons.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacramento Bee,
28 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near famine
Cite this Entry
“Famine.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/famine. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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